Definition

Verb (transitive) To extinguish a burning object, especially a cigarette or cigar, by pressing its burning end against a hard surface until it stops burning.

Usage

This verb is used with a direct object (the thing being extinguished). It specifically describes the action of putting out a fire or ember by applying pressure, not by blowing or using water. It is most commonly associated with cigarettes and cigars.

Examples

• "Please stub out your cigarette in the ashtray, not on the ground."
• The safety instruction was clear: "Stub out all campfires completely before leaving."
• He stubbed the candle out with his fingers, a trick he had learned as a boy.

Advanced Usage

• The verb can be used figuratively to mean to end something abruptly or forcefully.
  • Example: "The new policy effectively stubbed out any hope for a quick resolution."

Variants and Related Words

• Stub (verb): The base verb, often used interchangeably with "stub out" in this context.
  • Example: "He stubbed his cigarette on the sole of his shoe."
• Stub (noun): The short remaining piece of something, like a cigarette or pencil, after the main part has been used.
  • Example: "The ashtray was full of cigarette stubs."

Synonyms

• Extinguish
• Put out
• Snuff out
• Crush out

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Stub out does not have common phrasal verb variants beyond its standard form. The particle "out" is integral to the meaning of extinguishing.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms are directly based on "stub out."

Verb

1. extinguish by crushing
   • stub out your cigar