blow to smithereens

blow (something) to smithereens

To break or destroy something into tiny, fragmentary pieces. (Smithereens, first appearing in English in 1829 as "smiddereens," is likely derived from the Irish word "smidirín" or "smidiríní," meaning fragment.) The demolition crew blew the building to smithereens in a matter of seconds. The typhoon's gale-force winds have been blowing the village to smithereens over the last few days.See also: blow, smithereens

blow someone or something to smithereens

 and blow someone or something to bits; blow someone or something to piecesLit. to explode someone or something into tiny pieces. (See also something to smithereens">blow something to smithereens.) The bomb blew the ancient church to smithereens. The explosion blew the tank to bits. The explosion blew the car to pieces.See also: blow, smithereens

blow something to smithereens

 and blow something to bits; blow something to piecesFig. to destroy an idea or plan by exposing its faults. (See also someone or something to smithereens">blow someone or something to smithereens.) The discovery blew my case to pieces. The opposing lawyer blew my case to smithereens.See also: blow, smithereens