blimp out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial, humorous
Quick answer
What does “blimp out” mean?
To overeat, especially to the point of feeling uncomfortably full.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To overeat, especially to the point of feeling uncomfortably full.
To indulge in excessive eating, often during a specific event or occasion, leading to a state of being overly full or stuffed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is primarily American in origin and usage. In British English, alternative phrases like 'pig out' or 'stuff oneself' are more common.
Connotations
Humorous, slightly self-mocking. In American English, it can evoke images of a blimp (large airship) to symbolize being full.
Frequency
Rare in British English; occasionally understood but seldom used spontaneously. Low-to-moderate frequency in informal American English.
Grammar
How to Use “blimp out” in a Sentence
[Subject] blimps out[Subject] blimps out on [food][Subject] blimps out at [event/place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blimp out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After the Christmas dinner, we all blimped out on mince pies and pudding.
- He tends to blimp out at the office party every year.
American English
- We totally blimped out on wings during the Super Bowl.
- I'm going to blimp out at the all-you-can-eat barbecue.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used casually among friends or family when discussing overeating, especially after a large meal or during holidays.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blimp out”
- Using it in formal contexts, confusing it with 'blimp' as a noun only, or using it without the particle 'out' (e.g., 'I blimped' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is generally humorous and informal, but it should be used in casual settings among friends or family, not in polite or formal company.
No, the phrase is specific to overeating. Using it for other types of excess (like spending money) is non-standard and would likely cause confusion.
The past tense is 'blimped out', as in 'Yesterday, I blimped out on pizza'.
No, the term is only used as a phrasal verb. There is no standard noun form.
To overeat, especially to the point of feeling uncomfortably full.
Blimp out is usually informal, colloquial, humorous in register.
Blimp out: in British English it is pronounced /blɪmp aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /blɪmp aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Blimp out on something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a blimp (a large, round airship) getting even bigger after eating too much, so you 'blimp out' and become as full as a blimp.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A CONTAINER / EATING IS INFLATING
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate meaning of 'blimp out'?