blow down: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral, slightly informal
Quick answer
What does “blow down” mean?
to cause something to fall to the ground by the force of wind or an explosion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to cause something to fall to the ground by the force of wind or an explosion
to demolish or destroy; to be knocked over by wind; to be defeated decisively (metaphorical)
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use identically. Slight preference for "blow over" in British English for less permanent/destructive knocking down by wind.
Connotations
Neutral in both, though can sound dramatic when describing storm damage.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to greater prevalence of tornado reports.
Grammar
How to Use “blow down” in a Sentence
[wind/storm] blow down [object][object] be blown down by [wind/storm]blow [object] downVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blow down” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The severe gales are likely to blow down several old trees in the park.
- They had to blow the unsafe structure down with controlled explosives.
American English
- The tornado blew down the entire barn in seconds.
- The storm blew down power lines, leaving thousands without electricity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in insurance/construction contexts regarding storm damage.
Academic
Used in meteorology, geography, and engineering reports.
Everyday
Common in weather reports and descriptions of storm damage.
Technical
Used in forestry (windthrow), civil engineering (wind load failure).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blow down”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blow down”
- Using "blow down" for a person falling (use "knock down").
- Confusing with "blow over" (less severe, often temporary).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can say 'The wind blew the fence down' or 'The wind blew down the fence.'
'Blow down' implies the object falls and is often damaged/destroyed. 'Blow over' often means it tips over and might be set upright again, or it can refer to a storm ending.
It's unusual and sounds metaphorical or violent ('The explosion blew him down'). For a person falling from wind, 'knock down' is more common.
The past participle is 'blown down' (e.g., 'The tree has been blown down'). 'Blew down' is the simple past tense.
to cause something to fall to the ground by the force of wind or an explosion.
Blow down is usually neutral, slightly informal in register.
Blow down: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbləʊ ˈdaʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbloʊ ˈdaʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a strong wind BLOWing a tree DOWN to the ground.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORCE IS A PHYSICAL POWER (wind as an agent that can enact change).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'blow down' LEAST appropriate?