blow off
phrasal verb·4 senses·particle off
Meanings
Be removed by force, especially wind
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“His hat blew off in the wind.”
“The tent roof blew off in the storm.”
Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately
Why “off”? Something is delayed, interrupted, reduced, or brought to an end.
“He blew off the meeting.”
“She blew off our lunch plans.”
Release strong feelings, especially anger
Why “off”? Words, feelings, impressions, light, heat, or smells leave a source and reach others.
“She just needed to blow off some steam.”
“He went for a run to blow off steam.”
Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
“He blew the dust off the books.”
“She blew crumbs off the table.”
Don't confuse with
Blow off means be removed by force, especially wind. Blow over means pass and be forgotten.
Test yourself
“His hat blew off in the wind.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
blow over
A contrast learners often mix up
(of trouble or storm) Pass and be forgotten
back off
Same off pattern: separation
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
block off
Same off pattern: separation
Block access to an area or route; Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
break off
Same off pattern: stopping
Suddenly end a relationship, discussion, activity, or official contact; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; Take a short pause from an activity
brush off
Same off pattern: separation
Dismiss something or someone as unimportant; Remove dust or dirt by sweeping it lightly; Refuse to talk to someone politely
buy off
Same off pattern: stopping
Bribe someone to stop opposing you
call off
Same off pattern: stopping
Cancel a planned event
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