smother (someone or something) with (something)

smother (someone or something) with (something)

1. To cover, smear, or spread something thickly or copiously onto someone or something. I looked at him in horror as he smothered his $30 steak with ketchup. My auntie always smothers me with kisses whenever she comes to visit.2. To use something to suffocate someone or an animal. The nanny has been accused of smothering the child with his own pillow. The dog's going to suffocate itself with that bag?—get it off its head!See also: smother

smother someone or something with something

 1. Lit. to suffocate someone or something with something. The villain tried to smother his victim with a pillow. Fred tried to smother the cat with a plastic bag. 2. Fig. to cover someone or something with something. (An exaggeration.) she smothered him with kisses. Aunt Margaret smothered us with the ruffles on the front of her dress when she hugged us.See also: smother

smother with

or smother inv.1. To cover something thickly: The chef smothered the chicken with sauce.2. To give someone an abundance or surfeit of some sort of affection: The grandparents smothered the children in hugs. I was smothered with affection when I visited my old friends.See also: smother