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stamp out

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stamp someone out

Sl. to get rid of or kill someone. (Fig. on stamp something out.) You just can't stamp somebody out on your own! The victim wanted to stamp out the robbers without a trial.

See also: out, stamp

stamp something out

Fig. to eliminate something. The doctors hope they can stamp cancer out. Many people think that they can stamp out evil.

See also: out, stamp

stamp out something

also stamp something out

to stop or destroy something How long have we been trying to stamp out drugs? Everyone enjoys these games, although some people want to stamp them out.

See also: out, stamp

stamp out

Extinguish or destroy, as in The government stamped out the rebellion in a brutal way, or The police were determined to stamp out drug dealers. This metaphoric expression alludes to extinguishing a fire by trampling on it. [Mid-1800s]

See also: out, stamp

stamp out

v.

1. To extinguish or destroy something by or as if by trampling or stepping on it: I was able to stamp the small fire out. The government aims to stamp out poverty.

2. To produce something by application of a mold, form, or die: The baker rolled the dough and stamped out ten heart-shaped cookies. That machine stamps the coins out of the sheet metal.

See also: out, stamp