smother

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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

smother with

or smother in
v.
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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • (have) got something going (with someone)
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • accompanied by
  • accompanied by (someone or something)
  • accompany
  • a crack at (someone or something)
  • all right
References in periodicals archive
``You would have to either force them up against something in order to cover the nose or mouth, perhaps a wall, or put your hand behind the head and smother with the other.''
THE SOHAM MURDER TRIAL: Huntly: Holly fell in the bath and died Doctor: Very unlikely Huntly: Jessica was smothered by accident Doctor: That is wholly implausible..; Expert lays into defence claim girls were killed by mistake
Trying to smother a coal fire with a thick layer of material such as fly as--chosen simply because it's available in large quantities at low cost from coal-fired power plants and other industries--just doesn't work, says Jones.
The fires below: burning coal sculpts landscapes worldwide
"He was a courageous lad and it was fortunate he had his newspaper delivery bag to smother the flames.
Fire victim saved by paperboy
She told the High Court in Glasgow that the 29-year-old was suffering post traumatic stress syndrome and diminished responsibility when he smothered and killed two-month-old Aaron, in l995, and Jacob, aged three weeks, in l999.
BIB SMOTHER DAD'S FOUR SUICIDE BIDS; He cut wrists and took pills
Called the "smother" plant, this short-lived green mulch quickly carpets a field with a dense mat of vegetation that chokes out yield-threatening weeds.
'Bioherbicide' snuffs out competition
In addition, the enormous number of tourists visiting the Sierra parks during the fire season will continue to force managers to smother may natural blazes.
Burning questions: sifting through the ashes for a verdict on Yosemite's 'prescribed burns.' (Cover Story)
Smother Me Lip Balm, pounds 5, Pout's The colourless balm may look understated but it contains ylang-ylang, known for its aphrodisiac qualities.
M Beauty: Just the job..
ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the fascist Hindutva being employed by the Modi-led government will miserably fail in its attempt to smother the Kashmiri liberation struggle in occupied Kashmir
Modi govt will fail to gag Kashmiris, says PM
ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the Hindutva exclusivist creed of the Modi led government with its fascist tactics will miserably fail in its attempt to smother the Kashmiri liberation struggle in occupied Kashmir.
Hindutva exclusivist creed of Modi Govt will fail to smother Kashmiri liberation struggle: PM
- Wrap yourself or the victim in a thick wool or cotton blanket, rug or coat to smother the flames.
Household Emergencies (Part-2)
But he claims he didn't smother Tomlin and left him bound but alive and talking.
Execution halted amid claims of false evidence at trial
In a macabre twist, the court heard Davidson has a previous conviction for trying to smother her neighbour's dog.
'Mercy killer' given life for murdering friend; Woman smothered 81-yr-old who was against euthanasia
According to the ABC Medianet preview of the episode, Ruby would very much like to smother Bow.
'Black-ish' Spoilers: 'Oedipal Triangle'
A TEENAGER standing trial for the murder of her mum tried to smother her just days before her body was found, a court heard.
Teenager denies murdering her mum; Accused's aunt tells court of previous smother attempt
Unless we do, I get the distinct impression they might completely smother the cottage, although when I work inside on hot days they create a very pleasant green shade.
SMOTHERLY LOVE: There is still [...]; DIARY