steam-roller

A steam-roller flattens the hot asphalt on a new road.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A heavy vehicle with wide rollers: A "steam-roller" is a large, heavy machine used for flattening and compacting surfaces, especially in road construction. It was originally powered by steam.
   • An overwhelming force or influence: Figuratively, a "steam-roller" refers to an irresistible or crushing power, often used in politics or business to describe dominance or coercion.

2. Verb:

   • To crush or flatten with a steam-roller: The physical action of using a steam-roller to level a surface.
   • To force through or suppress by overwhelming power: To overcome opposition or resistance with relentless pressure, as if rolling over obstacles.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The construction crew used a steam-roller to pave the new highway. (A heavy vehicle for flattening roads.)
  • The political party acted like a steam-roller, pushing their agenda through parliament. (An overwhelming force in decision-making.)

• Verb:

  • They steam-rollered the gravel to make a flat surface for the playground. (Physically flattened with a machine.)
  • The company steam-rollered all objections to the merger. (Suppressed opposition with force.)

Advanced Usage

• "steam-roller tactics": Methods that involve aggressive, overwhelming pressure to achieve a goal.

  • The manager used steam-roller tactics to get the project approved. (Forceful, unyielding methods.)

• "to be steam-rollered": To be crushed or overwhelmed by a superior force.

  • The small business was steam-rollered by the large corporation's expansion. (Overwhelmed and defeated.)

Variants and Related Words

• Steam-rollering (adj/noun): The process or act of using a steam-roller or applying overwhelming force.

  • The steam-rollering of the new law caused public outrage. (The forceful imposition of a law.)

• Steam-roller effect (noun): The phenomenon where a powerful force eliminates all resistance.

  • The steam-roller effect of the new technology made older methods obsolete. (Irresistible impact.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Road roller, compactor (physical); juggernaut, juggernaut (figurative, overwhelming force).
• Verb: Crush, flatten, level (physical); overpower, bulldoze, railroad (figurative, force through).

Phrasal Verbs

• Steam-roller through: To pass or complete something with overwhelming speed or force.

  • The bill was steam-rollered through the committee without debate. (Pushed through quickly and forcefully.)

• Steam-roller over: To disregard or suppress objections or people.

  • He steam-rollered over his colleagues' concerns during the meeting. (Ignored or overrode their views.)

Related Idioms

• "Like a steam-roller": Describing something that moves forward irresistibly, crushing everything in its path.

  • The campaign advanced like a steam-roller, leaving no room for opposition. (With unstoppable force.)

• "To go the steam-roller route": To use aggressive, overpowering methods instead of diplomacy.

  • Instead of negotiating, they chose to go the steam-roller route. (Used force instead of discussion.)