“Blow up” means:
- To Explode:
- To burst or explode violently, often causing damage or destruction.
- Example: “The fireworks blew up in the night sky.”
- To Inflate or Expand:
- To fill with air or gas, making something larger or more inflated.
- Example: “He blew up the balloon with his mouth.”
- To Increase Rapidly:
- To grow or expand quickly, often referring to size or intensity.
- Example: “The issue blew up into a major controversy.”
- To Cause to Fail or Ruin:
- To make something fail or be ruined, often used in the context of plans or projects.
- Example: “The sudden change in schedule blew up their carefully made plans.”
- To Make a Photograph Larger:
- To enlarge a photograph or image.
- Example: “She blew up the family photo to frame it.”
Prepositions
- Before “blow up”: Often used with the subject or object that is exploding, inflating, or increasing.
- Example: “The bomb could blow up any moment.”
- After “blow up”: Typically followed by the result or the specific thing that is affected.
- Example: “The balloon blew up quickly.”
Collocations
- Blow up (a)
- Blow up (the)
- Blow up (with)
Example Sentences
- The building blew up in a dramatic explosion.
- She blew up the balloon with a pump.
- The argument blew up into a full-scale confrontation.
- His plans blew up when the meeting was canceled.
- They decided to blow up the photo to hang in the living room.
- The tire blew up because it was over-inflated.
- The scandal blew up overnight, grabbing headlines.
- He blew up at his friend after a heated discussion.
- The small firework blew up with a bright flash.
- She blew up the image to get a clearer view of the details.
- The situation blew up when more people got involved.
- The old tire blew up as the car was driving down the highway.
- The debate blew up on social media with passionate responses.
- They blew up the air mattress for their camping trip.
- The project blew up due to unforeseen complications.
- The balloon blew up and popped when the child touched it.
- The issue blew up into a major crisis for the company.
- The team’s plans blew up when they faced unexpected delays.
- The photographer blew up the portrait to display at the gallery.
- The pressure caused the pipe to blow up.
- The argument blew up after new information came to light.
- She blew up the photo to show the intricate details.
- The small fuse blew up, causing the power outage.
- The problem blew up when more stakeholders expressed concerns.
- The balloon blew up with a loud pop.
- The project’s budget blew up due to extra costs.
- The issue blew up after it was featured on national news.
- The old engine blew up, causing a lot of smoke.
- He blew up the plans when he realized they wouldn’t work.
- The debate blew up on television, with heated arguments.
- The wind blew up the sand on the beach, creating a storm of dust.
- She blew up the image to make it more visible during the presentation.
- The tire blew up during the race, causing a major setback.
- The minor disagreement blew up into a full-blown argument.
- The paint balloon blew up, splattering color everywhere.
- The explosion blew up the entire building.
- The mistake blew up into a significant issue that needed addressing.
- He blew up the inflatable pool for the children to use.
- The news about the accident blew up on social media.
- The firework blew up with a spectacular display of colors.
- The issue blew up when it was picked up by the media.
- The gas tank blew up, creating a large fireball.
- The misunderstanding blew up into a major conflict.
- She blew up the image to use in the marketing campaign.
- The old propane tank blew up, causing significant damage.
- The excitement over the new release blew up quickly.
- The small crack in the wall blew up into a significant problem.
- The hot air balloon blew up as it was being inflated.
- The situation blew up when the details were leaked to the press.
- He blew up the artwork to showcase the artist’s work.