stamp out
C1Formal to Neutral. Common in news, official reports, and serious discourse about social issues, crime, or systemic problems.
Definition
Meaning
To completely eliminate or destroy something, typically something unwanted, harmful, or undesirable, often through forceful or systematic action.
A metaphorical extension from literally stamping with the foot to crush something, implying a decisive, authoritative, and often final effort to eradicate a problem, practice, or condition. Conveys a sense of forceful suppression or termination.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly implies an active, deliberate campaign against a widespread or persistent issue. The object is typically an abstract evil (e.g., corruption, disease) or a socially condemned activity. Not used for simple, one-off removals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or frequency. Both use it identically in contexts like crime, disease, or corruption.
Connotations
Shared connotation of authoritative, possibly governmental, action. Slightly more common in British English in historical contexts (e.g., stamping out a rebellion).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties in modern journalistic and policy contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: often authority/group] + stamp out + [Object: problem/evil]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A concerted effort to stamp out...”
- “A campaign to stamp out...”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new compliance director was hired to stamp out fraudulent expense claims.
Academic
Public health initiatives in the 20th century succeeded in stamping out diseases like smallpox.
Everyday
The school launched a new policy to stamp out bullying in the playground.
Technical
The software update aims to stamp out the security vulnerability for good.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government pledged to stamp out tax evasion with stricter laws.
- The headteacher is determined to stamp out cheating in exams.
American English
- The mayor launched a task force to stamp out gang violence.
- The company is investing millions to stamp out the software bug.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The police want to stamp out crime in this area.
- We must stamp out this dangerous behaviour.
- International cooperation is essential to stamp out modern slavery.
- The charity works to stamp out malnutrition in the region.
- Decades of public education campaigns have helped stamp out the stigma surrounding mental health.
- The regulatory body lacks the teeth to effectively stamp out anti-competitive practices.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an official STAMPing on a glowing cigarette butt to put it OUT. The stamp represents authority, and 'out' means to extinguish. Together, they mean to authoritatively extinguish a problem.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL PROBLEMS ARE FIRES (that need to be extinguished) / UNWANTED ENTITIES ARE VERMIN (that need to be crushed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'выделывать' or 'выталкивать'. The closest conceptual equivalents are 'искоренить' (to root out) or 'подавить' (to suppress).
Common Mistakes
- Using it for personal, trivial matters (e.g., 'I stamped out my bad habit' – too strong). Forgetting it requires a direct object (e.g., 'They are trying to stamp' is incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be 'stamped out'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. It carries weight and is used for significant, persistent problems (corruption, epidemics). Using it for minor issues sounds exaggerated or humorous.
Yes, often. E.g., 'Smallpox was successfully stamped out through global vaccination.'
They are close synonyms. 'Stamp out' emphasizes the deliberate, forceful action of an agent (like an authority). 'Wipe out' can be more neutral and can refer to destruction by natural forces or accidents.
No. It describes the intent or effort. 'They tried to stamp out corruption' does not guarantee they succeeded.