Squish vs squash

Question

Is the sentence correct?She squished/squashed the fly on my face with her hands.Thanks

Yankee · Accepted Answer

alc24Is the sentence correct?

I'd say no, it's not.

Neither "squish" nor "squash" are typically used to describe the killing of a fly, though I suppose you might describe a fly as being in a squished or squashed state after you've swatted it good and hard. To me, a "squashed fly" would be one that has been flattened. If you've ever swatted a fly, you know that afterwards the fly may only look somewhat misshapen. A swat doesn't necessarily smash a fly to smithereens.

In addition, I can't even begin to imagine needing more than one hand -- or more than a finger or a thumb, for that matter -- in order to squash a stunned or already dead fly. Unless you decide to squash it between your own hands, that is.

Alc24 · Answer

What if the fly is on someones face and you smash it.

wouldn't the sentence be

I squashed the fly on his face with my hands.

What do you think?

CalifJim · Answer

The fly would have to be dead already. The fly would not stand still long enough for you to smash it or squash it or squish it or smear it.

Nevertheless, if the fly were dead, or if you were willing to substitute blueberries or bananas, you could certainly smash, squash, squish, or smear the dead fly (or the blueberries or bananas) on someone's face. These actions do not require aiming and are not likely to fail on the first try.

If the fly is alive, you swat at it, strike at it, take a swipe at it, or try to kill it. You typically use only one hand or a fly swatter. And you typically miss the first few times. When you succeed, you have killed it. Or you say, "Got it!" To my ear, it would not be idiomatic to say that you smashed, squashed, squished, or smeared it.

CJ

Alc24 · Answer

so recap

if lets say a misquito is on someones hand and you spot it, you kill it.

How would you say that if not

I ____ On her hand/face.

can i ask you one more thing could one say :

You will be haunted by your actions.

thank you CJ

CalifJim · Answer

alc24 if not

"I missed it." Not "I missed it on her hand."

alc24You will be haunted by your actions.

You can certainly say that. Yes.

CJ

Alc24 · Answer

NO

you succeed in killing it

I killed it against your hand is what I'm trying to say but like this

I ____ on her hand

I squashed it on your hand. I'd say , but I'm not going to since you said it was wrong. thats what I'm trying to say.

basically, you slap her hand because the fly is there and you squish it, this can't be more clear.

CalifJim · Answer

alc24I ____ on her hand

At the moment I can't think of a word that fits there very well. I don't think native speakers would phrase it that way. Maybe someone else has a suggestion.

CJ

Alc24 · Answer

how would you say it if the fly was on someones hand and you swatted it and killed it, and the fly lain flat on the person hand.

CalifJim · Answer

I swatted the fly on her hand and killed it.

Alc24 · Answer

That works for me

thank you

one question could take a look at one sentence for me I'm having trouble with it.

thank you

Squish vs squash

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions