blow through: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “blow through” mean?
To use up (money, resources, or time) quickly and carelessly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To use up (money, resources, or time) quickly and carelessly; to pass through a place briefly or rapidly.
To proceed rapidly and forcefully, often with a sense of wastefulness or transience; to exhaust a supply; to visit or pass through a location without staying long.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both senses are used in both varieties. The 'use up money' sense may be slightly more frequent in American English.
Connotations
Generally negative when referring to resources (wasteful); neutral when referring to travel (quick visit).
Frequency
Moderately common in spoken and informal written English.
Grammar
How to Use “blow through” in a Sentence
[Subject] blow through [Object: money/resources][Subject] blow through [Object: place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blow through” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He blew through his student loan on a fancy holiday.
- The storm blew through the Midlands overnight.
American English
- She blew through her inheritance in six months.
- We're just going to blow through Chicago on our road trip.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informal: 'The startup blew through its venture capital in under a year.'
Academic
Rare; might appear in informal case studies or narratives about resource management.
Everyday
Common: 'He blew through his birthday money in one afternoon.' 'We just blew through Birmingham on the motorway.'
Technical
Not typical in technical registers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blow through”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blow through”
- Using 'blow up through' or 'blow in through'. Confusing with 'blow over' (to pass) or 'blow out' (to extinguish).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and colloquial. Avoid it in formal reports or academic writing.
Yes, though less common. E.g., 'We blew through the first three agenda items in half an hour.'
They are often synonyms for 'use up quickly', but 'blow through' emphasizes carelessness/wastefulness more strongly. 'Run through' can also mean 'rehearse'.
Mostly, especially for resources. For geographical movement ('blow through town'), it is more neutral, simply indicating speed.
To use up (money, resources, or time) quickly and carelessly.
Blow through: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbləʊ ˈθruː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbloʊ ˈθruː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Blow through your winnings”
- “Blow through like a hurricane”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a strong wind (blow) rushing through a pile of banknotes, scattering them away quickly.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY/RESOURCES ARE A SUBSTANCE THAT CAN BE DISPERSED BY WIND. TIME/SPACE IS A BARRIER THAT CAN BE PENETRATED FORCEFULLY.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'blow through' used CORRECTLY?