smash v.

1759, transitive, "break to pieces," earlier "kick downstairs" (c. 1700), probably of imitative origin (compare smack (v.), mash (v.), crush (v.)). The intransitive meaning "act with crushing force" is from 1813; the transitive sense of "strike violently" is from 1835. Tennis sense is from 1882. Smash-and-grab (adj.) as a type of burglary or robbery is attested from 1927.

1725, "a hard blow," from smash (v.). The meaning "broken-up condition, a violent crashing to pieces" is from 1798; that of "failure, financial collapse" is from 1839. The tennis sense is from 1882. The meaning "great success" is from 1923 (Variety magazine headline, Oct. 16, in reference to Broadway productions of "The Fool" and "The Rise of Rosie O'Reilly"). As a type of julep-like brandy drink, by 1950, American English.