Idioms for blow

Origin of blow

2
before 1000; Middle English blowen (v.), Old English blāwan; cognate with Latin flāre to blow

British Dictionary definitions for blow off (1 of 4)

blow off

verb (adverb)

to permit (a gas under pressure, esp steam) to be released
(intr) British slang to emit wind noisily from the anus
(tr) informal to reject or jilt (someone)
blow off steam See steam (def. 6)

noun blow-off

a discharge of a surplus fluid, such as steam, under pressure
a device through which such a discharge is made

British Dictionary definitions for blow off (2 of 4)

blow 1
/ (bləʊ) /

verb blows, blowing, blew or blown

noun

Word Origin for blow

Old English blāwan, related to Old Norse blǣr gust of wind, Old High German blāen, Latin flāre

British Dictionary definitions for blow off (3 of 4)

blow 2
/ (bləʊ) /

noun

a powerful or heavy stroke with the fist, a weapon, etc
at one blow or at a blow by or with only one action; all at one time
a sudden setback; unfortunate event to come as a blow
come to blows
  1. to fight
  2. to result in a fight
an attacking action a blow for freedom
Australian and NZ a stroke of the shears in sheep-shearing

Word Origin for blow

C15: probably of Germanic origin; compare Old High German bliuwan to beat

British Dictionary definitions for blow off (4 of 4)

blow 3
/ (bləʊ) /

verb blows, blowing, blew or blown

(intr) (of a plant or flower) to blossom or open out
(tr) to produce (flowers)

noun

a mass of blossoms
the state or period of blossoming (esp in the phrase in full blow)

Word Origin for blow

Old English blōwan; related to Old Frisian blōia to bloom, Old High German bluoen, Latin flōs flower; see bloom 1

Idioms and Phrases with blow off (1 of 2)

blow off

1

Vent one's strong feelings; see blow off steam.

2

Disregard, ignore; evade something important. For example, If you blow off your homework, you're bound to run into trouble on the exam. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

3

Overcome, defeat easily, as in With Rob pitching, we'll have no trouble blowing off the opposing team. [Slang; 1950s] Also see blow away, def. 2.

4

Ignore, abandon, refuse to take part. For example, The college is blowing off our request for a new student center. [Slang; mid-1900s]

Idioms and Phrases with blow off (2 of 2)

blow