blow off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “blow off” mean?
To cancel an arrangement, meeting, or responsibility.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cancel an arrangement, meeting, or responsibility; to fail to attend something as promised.
To dismiss, ignore, or treat someone or something as unimportant; to let out steam, pressure, or energy (literal); to become detached by force (e.g., a roof in a storm).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English for the 'cancel/dismiss' sense. In British English, 'blow out' is sometimes used for cancelling plans, while 'blow off' is understood but may be perceived as an Americanism.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a negative connotation of unreliability or disrespect when referring to cancelling on a person.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American spoken English.
Grammar
How to Use “blow off” in a Sentence
[Subject] blow off [Object: person/event][Subject] get blown off by [Object: person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blow off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He completely blew off the team meeting, which annoyed everyone.
- After the exam, we went to the pub to blow off steam.
American English
- She blew me off three times last week, so I'm not asking her out again.
- I'm just going to blow off work and go to the beach.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The blow-off valve is a critical safety component.
- He gave a blow-off answer to a serious question.
American English
- That was such a blow-off class; we just watched movies.
- After the blow-off remark, she decided to leave.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Avoid; considered unprofessional. Use 'cancel', 'postpone', or 'reschedule'.
Academic
Not used in formal writing. Appears in informal spoken contexts among students (e.g., 'blow off a lecture').
Everyday
Very common in informal speech to describe cancelling plans or neglecting responsibilities.
Technical
Used in engineering/mechanics for its literal meaning (e.g., 'The pressure valve blew off').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blow off”
- He blew off me. (Incorrect order) -> He blew me off. (Correct)
- I need to blow off some steam from work. (Correct)
- She blew off the offer. (Possible, but 'turned down' is more common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to cancelling on a person or ignoring responsibilities, it implies disrespect and unreliability. It's informal and often negative.
'Cancel' is neutral and formal. 'Blow off' is informal, implies a lack of serious reason or consideration for others, and often involves not showing up rather than formally cancelling.
In the phrase 'blow off steam', it is positive or neutral, meaning to release stress through activity. Otherwise, its connotations are negative.
Yes. 'I got blown off' means someone cancelled plans with you or stood you up, emphasizing your experience of being dismissed.
To cancel an arrangement, meeting, or responsibility.
Blow off is usually informal in register.
Blow off: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbləʊ ˈɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbloʊ ˈɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blow off steam”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone literally blowing on their calendar to blow an appointment 'off' the page.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESPONSIBILITIES/PEOPLE ARE OBJECTS that can be removed by wind/force.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'blow off' used CORRECTLY in its most common informal sense?