sabotage
Translation
to sabotage, to deliberately damage
Examples
They tried to sabotage the peace talks.
They tried to sabotage the peace talks.
The machinery had been sabotaged.
The machinery had been sabotaged.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to deliberately damage or obstruct (sth.). The rebels tried to sabotage the supply lines.
Similar Words
Synonyms: undermine, disrupt, wreck, vandalize
Etymology
From French 'saboter', from 'sabot' (a wooden shoe), as workers would throw their shoes into machinery to break it.
Memory Tips
Picture someone throwing a wooden shoe (a 'sabot') into a machine to deliberately break it.