The phrase "breaks to smithereens" is commonly used to describe the shattering of an object into small pieces. The word "smithereens" is spelled /smɪðəˈriːnz/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "smi-" and "-ereens" parts are straightforward, but the "-th" sound in the middle might be surprising to some. This is because the word was likely originally spelled "smiddereens" in Irish English, in which the "dd" sound is pronounced as a voiced dental fricative, like the "th" in "this". Over time, this spelling evolved into the current one.
The phrase "breaks to smithereens" is an idiomatic expression that is used to describe the act of breaking or shattering something into very small, fragmented pieces. It conveys a sense of extreme or forceful destruction, often accompanied by a loud noise or explosive impact.
The term "smithereens" itself is a noun derived from the Irish word smidiríní, meaning fragments or tiny pieces. When something breaks to smithereens, it means that it has been utterly destroyed or reduced to numerous, diminutive fragments. The phrase is often employed in a figurative sense to describe a dramatic or violent destruction that leaves no trace of the original object's existence.
The imagery evoked by the phrase "breaks to smithereens" suggests an intense or sudden impact, with the resulting fragments scattered or dispersed in all directions. The word "smithereens" itself helps to emphasize the concept of minuscule, shattered remnants, further conveying the idea of irreparable damage or complete annihilation.
Overall, "breaks to smithereens" is a vivid and forceful expression used to emphasize the severity and extent of destruction, describing the complete disintegration of an object into countless minute fragments.