English Phrase of the Day

blow up

Definitions

English > English
blow up
1. v. (intransitive) To explode or be destroyed by explosion.
Why do cars in movies always blow up when they fall off a cliff?
2. v. To cause (something or someone) to explode, or to destroy (something) or maim or kill (someone) by means of an explosion.
We had to blow up the bridge before the enemy army arrived.
More civilians than soldiers have been blown up by anti-personnel mines.
3. v. To inflate or fill with air, either by literally blowing or using an air pump.
For the school science project, each student will blow up a balloon and then tie it closed.
4. v. To enlarge or zoom in.
Blow up the picture to get a better look at their faces.
5. v. (intransitive) To fail disastrously.
6. v. (slang) To become popular very quickly.
This album is about to blow up; they’re being promoted on MTV.
7. v. (slang) To suddenly get very angry.
Dad blew up at me when I told him I was pregnant.
8. v. (slang) To become much more fat or rotund in a short space of time.
9. v. (transitive, dated) To inflate, as with pride, self-conceit, etc.; to puff up.
to blow someone up with flattery
10. v. (transitive, dated) To excite.
to blow up a contention
11. v. (transitive, dated) To scold violently.
to blow up a person for some offence
12. v. (sports) To blow the whistle.
ANOTHER PENALTY: Frickson Erazo with a high challenge in the area on the onrushing Lizio and Aguilar blows up for a spot kick.
13. v. (cycling) To succumb to the oxygen debt and lose the ability to maintain pace in a race.
14. v. (slang) To bombard with a large number of telephone calls, texts, etc.
15. v. (slang) To cause a malodorous smell by flatulation or defecation
Don't go in there...I really blew it up.
Analysis
blow
1. adj. (now chiefly dialectal Northern England) Blue.
2. v. (intransitive) To produce an air current.
3. v. To propel by an air current.
Blow the dust off that book and open it up.
4. v. (intransitive) To be propelled by an air current.
up
1. adv. Away from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.
I looked up and saw the airplane overhead.
2. adv. (intensifier) Used as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state Thoroughly, completely.
I will mix up the puzzle pieces.
Tear up the contract.

Example Sentences

No problem, but you really want to blow up the dames too?

It won't blow up the systems that still crush the spirit and surcharge your wallet.

They were also accused of planning to blow up a caf

My father has a dream to blow up rum distilleries and dismember the slave triangle.

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