Phrasal Verb - Blowing Out
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.Definition
The phrasal verb "blow out" carries multiple distinct meanings depending on its context. Primarily, it signifies the act of extinguishing a flame, such as a candle, match, or a small fire, by expelling air forcefully. Secondly, it refers to the sudden and often violent bursting or puncturing of something, typically a tire or a pipe, due to excessive pressure or wear, leading to a rapid loss of its contents or integrity. In competitive settings, particularly in sports, to "blow out" an opponent means to defeat them decisively and overwhelmingly, often by a significant margin. Less commonly, it can also describe the forceful expulsion of something (like air, water, or dust) from an enclosed space or device. Furthermore, in an informal sense, it can sometimes imply spending a large amount of money or celebrating an event in a lavish and extravagant manner, though this usage often appears with additional prepositions or context.
Examples
| No. | Example |
|---|---|
| 1 | She made a wish before blowing out all twenty candles on her birthday cake. |
| 2 | The sudden strong gust of wind blew out the small campfire, leaving only embers. |
| 3 | We were driving on the highway when the front right tire blew out, forcing us to pull over immediately. |
| 4 | The home team completely blew out their rivals in the final quarter, winning by an astonishing 30 points. |
| 5 | He had to blow out the dust from the old camera lens before taking any pictures. |
| 6 | Don't forget to blow out the pilot light on the water heater if you're going away for a long time. |
| 7 | The old, rusty pipe couldn't handle the increased water pressure and eventually blew out, flooding the basement. |
| 8 | The boxer delivered a powerful punch that almost blew out his opponent's mouthpiece. |
| 9 | During the intense storm, the strong winds blew out several windows in the abandoned building. |
| 10 | They decided to blow out the last of their travel budget on a luxurious farewell dinner. |