stave in
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To stave from the outside, to crush inward, to cause to collapse inward.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
"We'll get an axe and stave in all these barrels and the liquid will all run out", threatened the man.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “stave in” mean?
To stave from the outside, to crush inward, to cause to collapse inward.
Is “stave in” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.