Harming, Criticizing, or Stealing: English Vocabulary List

to cause harm to someone or something in a violent manner

"He bangs up his new car badly."

"He banged up his knee pretty badly when he fell off his skateboard and had to go to the emergency room."

to cause harm to someone or something

"The storm battered up the coast."

"The relentless waves battered up the old wooden pier, causing significant structural damage."

to physically attack someone, often with repeated blows

"The bullies beat up the smaller boy."

"The older boys threatened to beat up the smaller child if he did not give them his lunch money."

to unfairly and harshly criticize someone for something

"Don't beat up on him."

"The critics decided to beat up on the new movie, despite its promising premise and talented cast."

to be entirely destroyed by fire

"The satellite burned up in the atmosphere."

"The small meteor began to burn up as it entered the Earth's atmosphere creating a bright streak of light in the night sky."

to ruin a situation through mistakes or poor judgment

"Do not screw up this opportunity."

"Do not screw up this important opportunity because it may be the only chance you ever get."

to cause significant damage to something, often with force or violence

"They smashed up the car."

"The angry protesters began to smash up the windows of the government building in frustration."

to unexpectedly and aggressively confront someone

"He ran up on me."

"A stranger suddenly ran up on the tourist, demanding to know why they were in the restricted area."

to rob someone using a weapon or some form of threat

"He will stick up bank."

"The masked individual attempted to stick up the jewelry store, but the alarm was triggered immediately."

to cause something to explode

"Terrorists blow up the train station bridge."

"The terrorist tried to blow up the bridge with a bomb but the police discovered it before it could explode."

to deal with and eliminate the last few people who resist or oppose one

"We must mop up."

"The remaining enemy forces were quickly mopped up by the advancing troops."