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Phrasal Verb - Fending Off

· 2 min read
Raymundo CH

Image illustrating the verb Fending Off

Image uploaded to Pixabay by Juergen_G

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Definition​

Fend off is a phrasal verb that means to defend or protect oneself or something against an attack, threat, or challenge. It can also imply to avoid or evade something unpleasant or unwanted.

Examples​

No.Example
1The security team will fend off the protesters at the entrance of the building.
2She has to fend off her romantic feelings for her colleague to maintain a professional relationship.
3The country has been trying to fend off the economic sanctions imposed by neighboring nations.
4He tried to fend off the pain by taking painkillers and resting in bed.
5They have to fend off diseases spread through contaminated water by installing water purification systems.
6The firefighters are working hard to fend off the forest fire before it spreads further.
7She's been struggling to fend off the loneliness after moving to a new city for work.
8The military will be ready to fend off any incoming raids at the border.
9She'll need to fend off her competitors in the chess tournament to win the championship.
10They have the right equipment to fend off the strong winds and extreme temperatures.

Phrasal Verb - Blowing up

· 3 min read
Raymundo CH

Image illustrating the verb Blowing up

Image uploaded to Pixabay by blickpixel

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Definition​

The phrasal verb "blow up" carries several distinct meanings, making its interpretation context-dependent. Primarily, it refers to the act of exploding or causing something to explode, often resulting in destruction, such as when a bomb detonates or a building is demolished. It can also mean to inflate something with air or gas, like a balloon, a tire, or an inflatable raft. In a different sense, "blow up" signifies the act of enlarging a photograph, a drawing, or a plan to a bigger scale. Metaphorically, it can describe someone suddenly becoming very angry, often directed at another person or a situation. Furthermore, it can be used to describe a plan, a project, or a situation that fails spectacularly or goes disastrously wrong, often with severe consequences. Less commonly, it might refer to something becoming very popular or successful very quickly, akin to 'exploding in popularity,' though other phrasings are often preferred for this specific nuance.

Examples​

No.Example
1The demolition crew had to blow up the old factory to make way for the new development.
2Could you help me blow up these party balloons before the guests arrive?
3His patience ran out, and he finally blew up at his assistant for the repeated mistakes.
4The photographer offered to blow up the small wedding photo to poster size.
5A faulty gas line caused the entire house to blow up, leading to extensive damage.
6The car tire blew up after hitting a sharp piece of metal on the highway.
7Their elaborate plan to corner the market blew up in their faces when a competitor launched a similar product.
8The children loved watching the clown blow up animal shapes from long balloons.
9Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the oil rig to blow up.
10Make sure to blow up the air mattress completely before anyone tries to sleep on it.