Main Entry: ¹blow

Pronunciation: \ˈblō\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): blew \ˈblü\; blown \ˈblōn\; blow·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English blāwan; akin to Old High German blāen to blow, Latin flare, Greek phallos penis

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 a of air (1) : to be in motion <a breeze blew gently> (2) : to move with speed or force <the wind was blowing> b : to move or run quickly <the linebacker blew past the tackle>
2 : to send forth a current of air or other gas <don't blow on your soup>
3 a : to make a sound by or as if by blowing b of a wind instrument : sound
4 a : boast b : to talk windily
5 a : pant, gasp <the horse blew heavily> b of a cetacean : to eject moisture-laden air from the lungs through the blowhole
6 : to move or be carried by or as if by wind <just blew into town>
7 a : erupt, explode b of an electric fuse : to melt when overloaded —often used with out c of a tire : to release the contained air through a spontaneous rupture —usually used with outtransitive verb 1 a : to set (gas or vapor) in motion <the fan blew hot air on us> b : to act on with a current of gas or vapor <the breeze blew my hair dry>
2 a : to play or sound on (a wind instrument) b : to play (as a note) on a wind instrument
3 a : to spread by report b past participle blowed \ˈblōd\ : damn <blow the expense>
4 a : to drive with a current of gas or vapor <the storm blew the boat off course> b : to clear of contents by forcible passage of a current of air <blow your nose> c : to project (a gesture or sound made with the mouth) by blowing <blew him a kiss>
5 a : to distend with or as if with gas b : to produce or shape by the action of blown or injected air <blowing bubbles>
6 of insects : to deposit eggs or larvae on or in
7 : to shatter, burst, or destroy by explosion <blow the safe open>
8 a : to put out of breath with exertion b : to let (as a horse) pause to catch the breath
9 a : to expend (as money) extravagantly b : to treat with unusual expenditure <I'll blow you to a steak>
10 : to cause (a fuse) to blow
11 : to rupture by too much pressure <blow a seal>
12 a : botch 1 <blew her lines> b : to fail to keep or hold <they blew a big lead>
13 : to leave hurriedly <blew town>
14 : to propel with great force or speed <blew a fastball by the batter>

— blow a gasket : to become enraged

— blow hot and cold : to be favorable at one moment and adverse the next

— blow off steam : to release pent-up emotions

— blow one's cool : to lose one's composure

— blow one's cover : to reveal one's real identity

— blow one's mind : to overwhelm one with wonder or bafflement

— blow one's top or blow one's stack 1 : to become violently angry
2 : to go crazy

— blow smoke : to speak idly, misleadingly, or boastfully

— blow the whistle : to call public or official attention to something (as a wrongdoing) kept secret —usually used with on