blow off steam

phrase

: to release pent-up emotions

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blow off steam was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blow off steam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blow%20off%20steam. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster