blow up
phrasal verb·5 senses·particle up
Meanings
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion
Why “up”? A person, thing, signal, idea, or truth becomes present, visible, active, or known.
“The car blew up in the alley.”
“The old boiler blew up in the basement.”
Inflate something by filling it with air
Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.
“Can you blow up these balloons?”
“She blew up the air mattress.”
Suddenly become very angry
Why “up”? Something normal is disturbed. Feelings, systems, machines, or behavior become noisy, troubled, or out of control.
“He blew up at me over a small mistake.”
“The coach blew up when we arrived late.”
Enlarge a photograph or image
“They blew up the photo to fit the wall.”
“The designer blew up the logo for the banner.”
(of a storm or argument)develop quickly into something serious
“A storm blew up very quickly over the sea.”
“An argument blew up during the meeting.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“The car blew up in the alley.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
blow down
A contrast learners often mix up
Cause something to fall by blowing
blow out
A contrast learners often mix up
Extinguish a flame by blowing
act up
Same up pattern: trouble
Behave badly or stop working properly
back up
Same up pattern: increase
Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked
beef up
Same up pattern: increase
Strengthen or reinforce
bring up
Same up pattern: appearance
Mention or raise a topic
build up
Same up pattern: increase
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
call up
Same up pattern: appearance
Telephone someone; Order someone to join military service; Display information on a screen or computer; Bring a memory or feeling vividly to mind; Select a player for a higher-level team
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