destroy

S2 W2

BrE /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ AmE /dɪˈstroʊ/

verb en → es

past destroyed pp destroyed ing destroying

1 DESTROY PHYSICALLY [transitive] B1

to damage something so much that it is completely unusable or no longer exists

destruir, arruinar

  • destroy something

Collocations destroy a building · destroy evidence

  • The fire destroyed the house.

    El incendio destruyó la casa.

2 DESTROY ABSTRACT [transitive] B2

to damage something so much that it is no longer useful or effective, especially in a war or conflict situation

aniquilar, destruir (en sentido figurado)

  • destroy something

Collocations destroy an economy · destroy a reputation

  • The war destroyed the country's infrastructure.

    La guerra destruyó la infraestructura del país.

3 DESTROY EMOTIONALLY [transitive] C1

to cause someone to feel very upset or unhappy, especially by making them lose something important

destruir emocionalmente a alguien

  • destroy somebody

Collocations destroy someone's hopes · destroy someone's confidence

  • The news destroyed her hope of ever finding a job.

    La noticia destruyó sus esperanzas de encontrar un trabajo.

Phrasal verbs

destroy something to pieces DESTROY COMPLETELY B2

destrozar algo por completo

  • The storm destroyed the town to pieces.

    La tormenta destrozó la ciudad por completo.

destroy something with a bomb DESTROY WITH WEAPONS B2

destruir algo con una bomba

  • The army destroyed the enemy's base with a bomb.

    El ejército destruyó la base enemiga con una bomba.

Idioms

destroy someone's chances C1

estropear las posibilidades de alguien

  • His bad behavior destroyed his chances of getting the job.

    Su comportamiento inapropiado estropeó sus posibilidades de conseguir el trabajo.

destroy someone's reputation C1

estropear la reputación de alguien

  • The scandal destroyed his reputation.

    El escándalo estropeó su reputación.

destroy someone's confidence C1

destrozar la confianza de alguien

  • The constant criticism destroyed her confidence.

    La crítica constante destrozó su confianza.