reduce to rubble
Level a structure
To reduce to rubble is to destroy something completely, leaving only broken fragments.
The phrase applies literally to buildings demolished by bombs, earthquakes, or wrecking crews: The airstrike reduced the neighborhood to rubble.
Figuratively, it describes any thorough destruction: The cross-examination reduced his testimony to rubble.
- shatterFragment violently, suddenly
- demolishDestroy completely
- tear downDestroy a structure
- smashBreak violently apart
- destroyCause complete ruin
obliterate · raze · level to the ground · wreck · knock down · devastation · total destruction · bulldozer · dynamite · implode · wrecking ball · bomb out · ruin · earthquake · annihilate · take apart · pulverize · crush