krossa

Krossa is a Swedish verb meaning to crush, smash, or press into pieces. It can describe the physical destruction of objects, such as crushing ice or fruit, as well as metaphorical actions like crushing an opponent, breaking a plan, or overwhelming someone emotionally. The infinitive form is krossa; present tense krossar; past tense krossade; the supine form is krossat.

Etymology and usage: The verb is derived from the noun kross, meaning a crush or heavy impact, combined with the standard -a infinitive suffix used in Swedish. It is widely used in everyday speech as well as in journalism, sports reporting, and literature to convey decisive outcomes. Common expressions include krossa motståndet (to crush the opposition), krossa någons hjärta (to break someone’s heart), and krossa en plan (to ruin a plan). In all senses, the term emphasizes destruction or defeat, ranging from concrete, physical actions to figurative, emotional or strategic effects.

Notes: While primarily Swedish, the concept of “crush” exists across Germanic languages with related roots, but krossa itself is a Swedish word and not a direct cognate in all other languages. The term remains neutral in tone, though its literal sense can carry strong connotations depending on context.