blow1
v.
(past blew; past part. blown)
- (of wind) move creating an air current.
▸be carried or driven by the wind.
- expel air through pursed lips.
▸force air through the mouth into (an instrument) to make a sound.
▸force air through a tube into (molten glass) to create an artefact.
▸remove the contents of (an egg) by forcing air through it.
▸(of a whale) eject air and vapour through the blowhole.
- sound (the horn of a vehicle).
- (of an explosion) displace violently or send flying.
▸burst or burn out through pressure or overheating.
▸(of a vehicle tyre) burst suddenly while the vehicle is in motion.
- informal spend recklessly.
- informal completely bungle (an opportunity).
▸expose (a stratagem):
his cover was blown.
(past part. blowed)
Brit. informal damn: ‘Well, blow me’, he said.
- N. Amer. informal leave.
- (of flies) lay eggs in or on.
- informal play jazz or rock music in an unrestrained style.
-
[as adj. blown]
breathing hard; exhausted.
n.
- a strong wind.
- an act of blowing.
- informal cannabis.
Phrase
- blow a fuse
(or gasket)
informal lose one's temper. - blow hot and cold
alternate inconsistently between two moods, attitudes, etc. - blow someone a kiss
kiss the tips of one's fingers then blow across them towards someone as a gesture of affection. - blow someone's mind
informal impress or otherwise affect someone very strongly. - blow one's nose
clear one's nose of mucus by blowing through it into a handkerchief. - blow one's top
(or chiefly N. Amer. lid or stack)
informal lose one's temper. - blow with the wind
be incapable of maintaining a consistent course of action.
Phrase verbal
Etymology
OE blāwan, of Gmc origin.
blow3
v.
(past blew; past part. blown)
produce flowers or be in flower.
n.
the state or period of flowering.
Etymology
OE blōwan, of Gmc origin; rel. to bloom1 and blossom.