Search results for 'blow':

blow¹ verb (past tense blew, past participle blown or (only in sense 12) blowed, present participle blowing) 1 intrans said of a current of air or wind, etc: to be moving, especially rapidly. 2 (often blow along or down, etc) tr & intr to move or be moved by a current of air or wind, etc. 3 to send (a current of air) from the mouth. 4 to form or shape (eg bubbles, glass) by blowing air from the mouth. 5 (often blow something off or out or in or up, etc) to shatter or destroy something by an explosion. 6 to produce a sound from (an instrument, etc) by blowing into it. 7 to clear something by blowing through it • blow one's nose. 8 colloq a to make (an electric fuse) melt and so interrupt the circuit; b (also blow out) intrans said of an electric fuse: to melt, causing an interruption in the flow of current. 9 to break into (a safe, etc) using explosives. 10 slang to spoil or bungle (an opportunity, etc) • He had his chance, and he blew it. 11 slang to spend a large amount of money, especially quickly or recklessly. 12 slang often used in mild curses, expressions of annoyance, astonishment, etc: to damn, curse or blast • Blow the expense, let's get a taxi • Well I'll be blowed, it's my old friend Pat! 13 (often blow the gaff or blow one's or someone's cover) slang to disclose or give away (something secret or confidential). 14 tr & intr, chiefly US slang to leave (a place) quickly and suddenly. 15 intrans to breathe heavily • puffing and blowing after the jog. 16 said of a whale: to exhale a spout of air and water through a hole in the top of its head • There she blows! 17 said of an insect, especially a fly: to deposit eggs on or in something. noun 1 an act or example of blowing. 2 a spell of exposure to fresh air • Let's go for a blow on the cliffs. exclamation (also blow it!) expressing annoyance; damn! blow hot and cold on something or someone colloq to keep changing one's mind about (an idea, plan, person, etc), sometimes favouring or showing enthusiasm towards it or them, and sometimes opposing or showing no enthusiasm.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c: from Aesop's fable of the centaur who believed that, because a man could both warm his hands and cool his food by blowing on them, he must be able to blow hot and cold air from the same mouth. blow one's or someone's cover slang to reveal one's or someone's true identity. blow one's or someone's mind slang to become or make someone become intoxicated or ecstatic under the influence of a drug or of some exhilarating experience. blow one's own trumpet colloq to praise oneself and one's own abilities and achievements. blow something sky-high to destroy it completely. blow one's stack or top colloq to explode in anger; to lose one's temper. blow the gaff Brit slang to give away a secret; to inform or blab. blow the whistle on someone colloq to inform on them, usually as they are engaged in something illegal or fraudulent. blow the whistle on something colloq to bring (something deceitful or illegal, etc) to an abrupt end by exposing it. I'll be blowed or blow me! or blow me down! Brit slang expressions of surprise, etc (see verb 12 above).
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon blawan.

blow² noun 1 a forceful stroke or knock with the hand or with a weapon. 2 a sudden shock or misfortune. at a blow by a single action; suddenly. come to blows to start or end up fighting.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c, first as Northern English and Scots blaw.