blow up
B1Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
to explode; to inflate; to become very angry; to enlarge (a photograph)
To suddenly become important or receive a lot of attention (e.g., a story blows up on social media). To fail spectacularly. To reprimand severely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb with separable usage (e.g., 'blow the bridge up' / 'blow up the bridge'). The meaning is highly context-dependent, ranging from literal destruction to metaphorical emotional outbursts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Blow up' for enlarging a photograph is somewhat dated in both variants. The social media sense ('the video blew up') is equally common.
Connotations
In both, 'blow up' implies suddenness and often negative, uncontrollable force, whether literal (explosion) or figurative (anger).
Frequency
Slightly more common in American media in the 'become angry' sense, but the difference is minimal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] blow up [Object][Subject] blow [Object] up[Subject] blow up at [Person]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blow up in someone's face”
- “blow up out of all proportion”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The merger talks blew up at the last minute over regulatory issues.'
Academic
'The scientific fraud scandal blew up in the press, damaging the institution's reputation.'
Everyday
'Mum blew up at me for leaving the kitchen in a mess.'
Technical
'The engineers had to blow up the old dam to make way for the new construction.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old gas main could blow up if not repaired.
- She blew the birthday balloons up for the party.
- The journalist's tweet blew up overnight.
American English
- They had to blow up the rocky ledge to clear the road.
- He blew up at his colleague during the meeting.
- Can you blow this image up so we can see the details?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children blew up the balloons for the festival.
- Be careful with that firework, it might blow up!
- The argument blew up over who was responsible for the mistake.
- I need to blow up this small photo for the poster.
- His controversial comments blew up on social media, leading to a public apology.
- The entire project blew up in their faces when the funding was withdrawn.
- The seemingly minor diplomatic incident blew up into a full-scale international crisis.
- Investors fear the speculative bubble is about to blow up.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a balloon: you BLOW air UP into it until it might explode.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS A PRESSURIZED CONTAINER / SIGNIFICANCE IS AN EXPLOSION
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'to blow' (дуть). The phrasal verb has distinct meanings not covered by a single Russian word. 'Взорвать' is for explode, 'раздуть' for inflate, 'разозлиться' for become angry.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'blow up' for a gradual increase (use 'build up'). Forgetting the preposition 'at' when indicating target of anger: 'He blew up me' (incorrect) vs. 'He blew up at me' (correct).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common meaning of 'blow up'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally neutral to informal. In formal writing, alternatives like 'explode', 'detonate', 'enlarge', or 'become furious' are often preferred.
Yes, primarily in the context of social media or popularity ('her video blew up'), which has a positive connotation of success. Also, inflating a balloon or tyre is neutral/positive.
They are often synonymous for literal explosions. 'Blow up' can imply a deliberate act (to blow something up), while 'explode' can be more general. 'Blow up' has the additional unique meanings of inflating, enlarging photos, and becoming angry.
Use the pattern 'blow up at [someone]' or 'blow up over [something]'. Example: 'She blew up at her assistant over the missed deadline.'