high blower: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ArchaicInformal, somewhat dated
Quick answer
What does “high blower” mean?
A person who boasts or talks in an exaggerated, self-important manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who boasts or talks in an exaggerated, self-important manner.
Someone who habitually exaggerates their achievements, status, or knowledge; a braggart or windbag.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is historically attested in both varieties but is now extremely rare in contemporary use in both. No significant regional distinction remains.
Connotations
Carries a connotation of old-fashioned criticism, possibly from the 19th or early 20th century. It suggests not just boasting but a tiresome, persistent form of it.
Frequency
Effectively obsolete in modern everyday language. Might be encountered in historical literature or as a deliberate archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “high blower” in a Sentence
[Subject] be a high blower[Subject] be called a high blowerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high blower” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was accused of high-blowing about his connections.
American English
- She high-blew her way through the interview.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could humorously describe a colleague who constantly inflates their sales figures.
Academic
Virtually unused. Historical linguistics or literature studies might reference it.
Everyday
Extremely rare. An older person might use it for humorous effect.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high blower”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Assuming it is a modern, common term.
- Confusing it with mechanical terms like 'high-pressure blower'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered a rare or archaic term. You are much more likely to hear 'braggart', 'show-off', or 'windbag'.
No, in this specific idiomatic sense, it only refers to a person. A mechanical 'high-pressure blower' is a separate technical term.
It is pejorative and critical, implying they are a tedious boaster. However, its archaic nature might soften the insult slightly, making it sound old-fashioned or humorous.
It comes from the slang use of 'blow' meaning to talk boastfully (as in 'blowhard') combined with 'high' to suggest an elevated or excessive degree of such talk.
A person who boasts or talks in an exaggerated, self-important manner.
High blower is usually informal, somewhat dated in register.
High blower: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈbləʊ.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈbloʊ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “full of hot air”
- “blow one's own trumpet”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person blowing up a balloon until it's HIGH and about to pop—they are a HIGH BLOWER, inflating their own importance with hot air.
Conceptual Metaphor
BOASTING IS INFLATING / BOASTING IS BLOWING HOT AIR.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'high blower'?