Idioms for blow

Origin of blow

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

Definition for blow up (2 of 2)

blowup
[ bloh-uhp ]
/ ˈbloʊˌʌp /

noun

an explosion.
a violent argument, outburst of temper, or the like, especially one resulting in estrangement.
Also blow-up. an enlargement of a photograph.

Origin of blowup

First recorded in 1800–10; noun use of verb phrase blow up

British Dictionary definitions for blow up (1 of 4)

blow up

verb (adverb)

noun blow-up

British Dictionary definitions for blow up (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 up (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 up (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 up (1 of 2)

blow up

1

Explode or cause to explode. For example, The squadron was told to blow up the bridge, or Jim was afraid his experiment would blow up the lab. The term is sometimes amplified, as in blow up in one's face. [Late 1500s]

2

Lose one's temper, as in I'm sorry I blew up at you. Mark Twain used this metaphor for an actual explosion in one of his letters (1871): “Redpath tells me to blow up. Here goes!” [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]

3

Inflate, fill with air, as in If you don't blow up those tires you're sure to have a flat. [Early 1400s]

4

Enlarge, especially a photograph, as in If we blow up this picture, you'll be able to make out the expressions on their faces. [c. 1930]

5

Exaggerate the importance of something or someone, as in Tom has a tendency to blow up his own role in the affair. This term applies the “inflate” of def. 3 to importance. It was used in this sense in England from the early 1500s to the 1700s, but then became obsolete there although it remains current in America.

6

Collapse, fail, as in Graduate-student marriages often blow up soon after the couple earn their degrees. [Slang; mid-1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with blow up (2 of 2)

blow