Smash, blow, etc. something to smithereens Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Intensity Used to express that something was destroyed very thoroughly and violently. The antique vase hit the floor and was blown to smithereens. Pro Tip 2/3Hyperbole The phrase is often used for dramatic effect, not always literal complete destruction. Their latest arguments blew their friendship to smithereens. Pro Tip 3/3Visual Imagery It invokes an image of something breaking into many tiny pieces, emphasizes ruin. After the explosion, the safe was smashed to smithereens.