1.
to crush, to squash, to flatten
To press down on something with force, flattening or destroying it.
空き缶を足で押しつぶした。
I crushed the empty can with my foot.
段ボール箱が重い荷物に押しつぶされていた。
The cardboard box had been crushed by the heavy load.
地震で建物が押しつぶされた。
The building was crushed by the earthquake.
2.
to suppress, to stifle (emotions)
To forcefully hold back emotions or feelings, pushing them down rather than expressing them.
泣きたい気持ちを押しつぶした。
I stifled the urge to cry.
不安に押しつぶされそうになった。
I felt like I was going to be overwhelmed by anxiety.
責任の重さに押しつぶされそうになりながらも、前に進んだ。
Though nearly crushed by the weight of responsibility, I pressed forward.
押しつぶす combines 押す (to press) with つぶす (to crush). It works both literally (physical crushing) and figuratively (being overwhelmed by emotions or pressure).
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
PATTERN:
- 〜を押しつぶす: to crush ~
- 〜に押しつぶされる (passive): to be crushed by ~
- 〜に押しつぶされそう: feeling about to be overwhelmed by ~
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 感情を押しつぶす: to suppress one's feelings
- 不安に押しつぶされる: to be crushed by anxiety
- プレッシャーに押しつぶされる: to be crushed by pressure
- ペシャンコに押しつぶす: to squash flat