stomp
B1Informal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
to bring one's foot down heavily and noisily on the ground or an object.
To defeat decisively or to perform music with a heavy, rhythmic beat.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies force, anger, or deliberate rhythmic movement. Often associated with expressing frustration or dancing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Stomp' is slightly more common in American English where it fully overlaps with 'stamp' in the 'heavy step' sense. British English may retain a subtle preference for 'stamp' for the action of bringing a foot down angrily.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. Can connote childish anger, aggressive dancing, or brute force.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, especially in contexts like 'stomp out' (extinguish) or 'stomp the yard' (dance).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V + adv/prep] (stomp out/off/around)[V + n] (stomp one's feet)[V] (He stomped and shouted.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stomp on someone's dreams”
- “stomp out (extinguish)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially metaphorical: 'The new policy stomped out inefficiency.'
Academic
Very rare, except in descriptive prose or music/dance studies.
Everyday
Common: describing angry movement, dancing, or crushing something.
Technical
Used in music (stomp box for guitar effects) and palaeontology (stomp marks).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The toddler began to stomp his feet in the supermarket.
- They stomped through the muddy fields.
American English
- She stomped out the campfire before leaving.
- The team got stomped 42–7 in the finals.
adjective
British English
- He gave a stomp performance of the Charleston.
American English
- The band has a great stomp rhythm.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The angry child stomped his foot.
- Don't stomp on the flowers!
- He stomped out of the room after the argument.
- We could hear him stomping around upstairs.
- The protesters threatened to stomp out corruption.
- The elephant stomped the ground to warn the herd.
- The new legislation aims to stomp out tax evasion for good.
- His criticism seemed designed to stomp on their creative ambitions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STOMPing elephant – heavy, loud steps that make the ground shake.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS HEAVY FOOT PRESSURE; DOMINATION IS STOMPING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'топать' which is more general; 'stomp' implies more force and noise. Avoid using 'stomp' for light stepping.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'stomp' instead of 'step' for normal walking. Incorrect: 'He stomped to the shop quietly.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stomp' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In American English, 'stomp' is preferred for bringing the foot down heavily, especially in anger or dancing. 'Stamp' is used for postal stamps or marking with a stamp. In British English, 'stamp' can still be used for the foot action, but 'stomp' is common for heavier, more deliberate movements.
Yes, it's often used metaphorically to mean 'defeat decisively' (e.g., 'stomp the opposition') or 'eliminate forcibly' (e.g., 'stomp out crime').
No, it is primarily informal or neutral. It is rarely used in formal academic or business writing unless for specific effect or in technical contexts like music.
It is most commonly a verb (to stomp). It can also be a noun (a heavy, rhythmic step or a type of dance) and, rarely, an adjective (e.g., stomp rhythm).