stamp out

get rid of something bad or harmful by taking strong action

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What does "stamp sth out" mean?

To stamp out something means to take strong, determined action with the aim of eliminating it completely. The expression carries a sense of moral urgency — it suggests that the thing being targeted is not just inconvenient but genuinely harmful or wrong. It is typically used for large-scale social, political, or institutional problems such as corruption, discrimination, or fraud. The subject is almost always an active agent — a government, an organisation, or a determined individual — who has both the authority and the will to act decisively. Unlike simply reducing a problem or putting pressure on it, stamping it out implies the goal of total eradication.

Examples

How to use it

subject + stamp out + noun phrase

The most common structure, used when the object is a longer noun phrase that follows the particle unseparated.

The new administration has pledged to stamp out corruption across all public institutions.

subject + stamp + short noun phrase + out

Separation is natural and common with short, definite noun phrases, giving the sentence a more direct, emphatic feel.

The school board worked hard to stamp the behaviour out before it spread further.

subject + stamp + pronoun + out

Pronouns must always go between the verb and the particle — they can never follow 'out'.

Tax evasion is a serious problem, and the authorities are determined to stamp it out.

something + must/need to be stamped out

The passive is natural and frequently appears in formal, political, and journalistic contexts where the focus is on what needs to be eliminated rather than who is doing it.

Online misinformation must be stamped out before it causes lasting damage to public trust.

infinitive: to stamp out + noun phrase

Commonly used after verbs expressing aims, goals, or determination such as 'pledge', 'try', 'aim', or 'be determined'.

The organisation was set up specifically to stamp out financial fraud in the industry.

Common Collocations

stamp out corruptionstamp out bullyingstamp out racismstamp out crimestamp out fraudstamp out disease

Common Mistakes

Using it with neutral or positive things

'Stamp out' always refers to something harmful, undesirable, or morally wrong. Using it with something neutral or positive sounds unnatural and implies wrongly that the thing is bad.

✗ We need to stamp out this old tradition before it disappears.
✓ We need to stamp out this harmful practice before it spreads further.
Confusing it with 'crack down on'

'Crack down on' means to increase enforcement or pressure, but it does not imply complete elimination. 'Stamp out' specifically suggests the goal of getting rid of something entirely — use it when total eradication is the aim.

✗ The government is stamping down on tax evasion with heavier fines.
✓ The government is determined to stamp out tax evasion entirely.
Placing a pronoun after the particle

When the object is a pronoun, it must come between 'stamp' and 'out', never after 'out'.

✗ Bullying is a real problem — we have to stamp out it.
✓ Bullying is a real problem — we have to stamp it out.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral to formal in register and is especially common in political and journalistic contexts. It is used across both British and American English, though it appears slightly more often in British sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'stamp out' always mean taking action against a social problem?

In this figurative sense, yes — it is almost always used for harmful social, institutional, or political problems like corruption, racism, or fraud. There is also a literal sense of physically extinguishing flames with the foot, but that is a separate meaning and far less common.

What kinds of subjects typically go with 'stamp out'?

The subject is nearly always an active agent with authority or power — a government, a regulatory body, an organisation, or a determined individual. Passive bystanders don't typically 'stamp out' things; the verb implies someone who has both the will and the means to act decisively.

Can I use 'stamp out' in formal writing or official documents?

Yes — it is actually very well suited to formal contexts. It appears frequently in political speeches, policy documents, and news journalism. It carries weight and conviction, which makes it effective in serious or official writing.

What's the difference between 'stamp out' and 'root out'?

'Root out' emphasises finding and removing something that is hidden or deeply embedded within a system, like rooting out bad actors within an organisation. 'Stamp out' focuses on the forceful elimination of a problem in its entirety, with less emphasis on the process of searching for it.

Is 'stamp out' more British or American English?

It is used in both British and American English and is widely understood across varieties. It appears slightly more frequently in British sources, particularly in journalism and political discourse, but it is not exclusively British.

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