押し潰す

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Spelling: 押し潰す. Reading: おしつぶす. Core meaning: to crush; to squash.
• Basic usage: Representative examples: 重い箱が空き缶を押し潰してしまった / 柔らかい果実を指で押し潰すと、汁がこぼれた.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Pressing and crushing
  • 押し潰す combines 押す and 潰す to mean applying pressure until the original form collapses. It implies a stronger result than pressing something while leaving its shape intact.