1
general::
Phrase(s): stamp something out
Fig. to eliminate something. • The doctors hope they can stamp cancer out. • Many people think that they can stamp out evil., Phrase(s): stamp someone out
Sl. to get rid of or kill someone. (Fig. on stamp something out.) • You just can’t stamp somebody out on your own! • The victim wanted to stamp out the robbers without a trial.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Extinguish or destroy, as in The government stamped out the rebellion in a bru tal way, or The police were determined to stamp out drug dealers. This metaphoric expression alludes to extinguishing a fire by trampling on it. [Mid-1800s]
American Heritage Idioms