blows
blows — verb
- blowspresent simple I / you / we / they
- blowses3rd person singular
- blowsing-ing form
- blowsedpast simple
1. to move through the air as a current of wind, or to push something somewhere usi
to move through the air as a current of wind, or to push something somewhere using the wind's force
The strong wind blew the old wooden fence down during the storm.
transitive: blow + object + down (wind pushes object)
Theo watched the autumn leaves blow across the empty parking lot.
intransitive: leaves blow across ground
A sudden gust of wind blew the papers off the desk and across the room.
The wind from the north blew snow into huge piles along the roadside.
Yuki left the window open, and the curtain blew in the breeze all afternoon.
- settle
to stop moving and rest in one place
文法句型
blow + adverb/preposition (blow away/off/down)
intransitive: wind blows
用法筆記
Often used with direction words like away, off, down, or across to show where the wind moves something.
常見錯誤
2. to produce musical sounds by sending air through your mouth into a wind instrume
to produce musical sounds by sending air through your mouth into a wind instrument such as a flute or trumpet
Elena blew a beautiful tune on her silver flute at the school concert.
transitive: blow + tune + on + instrument
Kenji learned to blow the trumpet when he was eight years old.
transitive: blow + [instrument]
The musician took a deep breath and blew a long, steady note on the saxophone.
In the parade, the children blew their plastic trumpets as loudly as they could.
When the horn blew three times, everyone knew the race was about to begin.
文法句型
blow + [wind instrument]
intransitive: instrument sounds
用法筆記
The object is usually the instrument (blow a trumpet) or the sound produced (blow a note). Intransitive use describes the instrument itself producing sound.
常見錯誤
3. to shape hot, soft glass into objects such as vases or bottles by pushing air th
to shape hot, soft glass into objects such as vases or bottles by pushing air through a tube into it
The artist blew a tiny glass bird with orange and blue wings.
blow + glass object (shape by blowing)
Wei spent three years learning how to blow glass at a studio in Taipei.
learn + to blow glass (skill)
The master glassblower can blow a large vase in less than fifteen minutes.
Sofia watched in amazement as the craftsman blew a delicate glass flower.
- shape
general verb for giving form; does not specify the blowing method
文法句型
blow + [glass object]
用法筆記
This sense is specific to the craft of glassblowing. The object is the finished piece, not the material — you blow a vase, not blow glass (though blow glass as an activity is common).
4. to clear your nose by forcing air out through it, typically into a piece of soft
to clear your nose by forcing air out through it, typically into a piece of soft paper or cloth
Fatima blew her nose into a tissue after walking in the cold rain.
blow + possessive + nose (clear nose)
Diego blew his nose loudly before the meeting started.
The little girl tried to blow her nose but could not manage it on her own.
After sneezing three times, Mei-Lin blew her nose and threw the tissue away.
文法句型
blow + possessive + nose
用法筆記
Always used with a possessive determiner (my, your, his, her, their) before nose. You cannot say blow the nose.
常見錯誤
5. to press your lips to your own hand and then move your hand toward someone, pret
to press your lips to your own hand and then move your hand toward someone, pretending to send them a gesture of affection through the air
Ivan blew a kiss to his daughter from the train window as it pulled away.
blow + a kiss + to + someone
Nadia turned at the airport gate and blew a kiss toward her mother.
The children on the bus blew kisses to their parents as the bus drove away.
Amina stood on the balcony and blew a kiss to her boyfriend waiting below.
- throw a kiss
same meaning but slightly less common
文法句型
blow + [a] kiss + to/toward + someone
用法筆記
The kiss is not real — it is a hand gesture. Common in farewell scenes, especially when people are too far apart to actually kiss.
6. to use explosives to destroy something completely, reducing it to rubble or piec
to use explosives to destroy something completely, reducing it to rubble or pieces
The demolition crew used explosives to blow the condemned hotel into a pile of rubble.
blow + object + into (total destruction by explosion)
Omar watched the demolition team blow up the abandoned factory.
blow up (phrasal verb: destroy with explosives)
The soldiers blew up the enemy ammunition depot during the night mission.
A gas leak caused the kitchen to blow up, damaging several nearby apartments.
- build
to construct or create, opposite of destroy
文法句型
blow + up + object
blow + object + up
用法筆記
Often used with the particle up (blow up). This sense focuses on complete, intentional destruction — reducing a structure to rubble. Distinguish from sense 9, which focuses on creating an opening or passage through a surface rather than total annihilation.
常見錯誤
7. An electrical fuse stops working when the thin wire inside it melts from too muc
An electrical fuse stops working when the thin wire inside it melts from too much electric current, often because too many devices are connected to the same circuit.
The lights went out when the main fuse blew during the thunderstorm last night.
intransitive: fuse + blows
Nora plugged a heater into the socket and blew the fuse for the whole floor.
transitive: blow + fuse
The old television set blew a fuse every time it was turned on.
Darius checked the fuse box after the hair dryer blew the circuit breaker.
A power surge during the construction work blew several fuses in the office building.
文法句型
fuse + blows (intransitive)
blow + a fuse (transitive)
用法筆記
Frequently used in the pattern 'blow a fuse' where the subject is an electrical device or the person using it. Also used metaphorically (informal) to mean 'become very angry'.
常見錯誤
8. A tyre on a moving vehicle suddenly bursts open because of internal pressure or
A tyre on a moving vehicle suddenly bursts open because of internal pressure or a road hazard, releasing all its air instantly and making the vehicle hard to control.
Imran lost control of the car when the front tyre blew on the wet road.
tyre + blows while driving
The rear tyre blew just as Bao was turning onto the main road.
tyre + blows (punctive event)
A lorry tyre blew on the motorway and the driver pulled over safely.
Lauren heard a loud noise and realised the back tyre of her bicycle had blown.
The old rubber tyre on the wheelbarrow finally blew after years of use.
文法句型
tyre + blows (intransitive)
用法筆記
Usually intransitive; the tyre is the subject. In American English, 'tyre' is spelled 'tire'. The noun 'blowout' describes the event.
9. to use explosives to create an opening, hole, tunnel, or other passage through a
to use explosives to create an opening, hole, tunnel, or other passage through a solid surface or structure
The construction team used dynamite to blow a new tunnel through the rocky hillside.
blow + tunnel + through (create passage with explosives)
Thieves blew the back wall of the jewellery shop and escaped with gold bars.
blow + structural object (wall, safe, door)
Rescuers used a small explosive charge to blow a hole in the collapsed concrete ceiling.
Miners blew a large opening in the mountain to reach the coal seam below.
Firefighters blew open the metal door with a small explosive charge.
文法句型
blow + object + through/into/in + [surface]
用法筆記
Used with a location phrase ('through', 'into', 'in') to describe where the explosion creates a passage or opening. Unlike sense 6, which is about total destruction (blow up a building), this sense is about making a hole, tunnel, or breach in a surface to create access.
10. To use up a large sum of money in a short time on items or experiences that serv
To use up a large sum of money in a short time on items or experiences that serve little practical purpose, often in an enjoyable but wasteful way.
Yasmin blew her entire month's salary on concert tickets and a new dress.
blow + salary + on [items]
Paul blew all his savings on a vintage motorbike that never worked properly.
blow + savings + on [purchase]
Tunde blew his bonus on a weekend trip to Dubai with friends.
Jiwoo blew his entire student loan on a vintage guitar and concert tickets.
Apinya blew her Christmas bonus on a five-course meal and a night at a luxury hotel.
- squander
more formal, emphasises the wastefulness rather than the speed
- fritter away
suggests spending on small, unimportant things over time
- save
the opposite — keeping money instead of spending it
文法句型
blow + money + on + [thing]
用法筆記
Always followed by 'on' and the thing the money is spent on. Very informal — not suitable for formal writing. Often carries a tone of mild criticism or regret.
常見錯誤
11. To talk with exaggerated pride about your own abilities, achievements, or posses
To talk with exaggerated pride about your own abilities, achievements, or possessions, usually in a way that annoys other people.
After winning the award, Aylin kept blowing about how talented she was.
blow about [achievement] — informal boast
Tomás kept blowing about his promotion at dinner until his friends changed the subject.
blow about [event] — informal boast (negative connotation)
Mateo would not stop blowing about the size of his new house.
The old fisherman spent the evening blowing about the fish he had caught years ago.
Sayaka gets annoyed when her cousin starts blowing about his university grades.
文法句型
blow + about + [thing/person]
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'about'. Has a negative connotation — implies the speaker is being annoying or arrogant. More common as 'blow hard' (noun) or 'blowing' in informal speech.
12. To depart from a location suddenly or hastily, often to avoid being caught, conf
To depart from a location suddenly or hastily, often to avoid being caught, confronted, or held responsible for something.
When the landlord started asking questions, the tenants decided to blow before things got worse.
blow (leave quickly — informal)
Gabriela blew town after the festival and never came back.
blow + town (leave a place abruptly)
The musicians blew as soon as the hotel manager called the police.
Nellie blew out of her parents' house after the argument, slamming the front door.
When the landlord came to collect rent, Petra and her roommates blew before he knocked.
文法句型
blow (intransitive)
blow + town/city
用法筆記
Very informal, used mainly in spoken American English. Often used with 'town' as a destination ('blow town' = leave town). The phrase 'blow this joint' (leave this place) is a related slang expression.
blows — noun
- blowssingular
- blowsesplural
1. a sudden, hard hit that lands on a person or thing, delivered with a hand, a wea
a sudden, hard hit that lands on a person or thing, delivered with a hand, a weapon, or as a result of a collision.
Matthew took a hard blow to the head during the game and had to sit out.
blow + to + body part (target collocation)
The boxer's final blow knocked his opponent to the floor immediately.
The goalkeeper took a blow to the chest but still held onto the ball.
Trang's bicycle suffered a heavy blow when it hit the stone wall.
- caress
a gentle touch, the opposite of a hard hit
文法句型
blow + to + body part
deal/strike + a blow
用法筆記
Often appears with the verbs 'deal', 'strike', or 'receive' to describe the action of hitting or being hit.
常見錯誤
2. an unexpected event or piece of news that causes sadness, disappointment, or ser
an unexpected event or piece of news that causes sadness, disappointment, or serious damage to someone's plans or hopes.
The news of the factory closing was a terrible blow to the whole town.
a blow + to + noun phrase (setback pattern)
Losing the final match came as a huge blow to Aarav's confidence.
The loss of her grandmother was a terrible blow for Reuben and his sister.
The new government rules dealt a serious blow to many small shops in the city.
- boost
something that lifts morale or improves a situation
文法句型
a blow + to + noun phrase
come as + a blow
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'to' plus an abstract noun such as 'confidence', 'economy', 'hopes', or 'pride'. This figurative sense is distinct from the physical-hit sense (index 1).
常見錯誤
3. a single action of pushing air out through the mouth or nose, often to clean som
a single action of pushing air out through the mouth or nose, often to clean something, cool something, or make a sound.
Noor gave the candle a quick blow and the room went dark.
give + a + blow (verb + noun pattern)
With one strong blow, Tamar cleared the dust off the old book.
The teacher gave her whistle a short blow to call the children back.
Vivek cleaned the camera lens with a gentle blow before taking the photo.
- puff
a short, quick release of air, gentler than a blow
文法句型
give + a + blow
with + a + blow
用法筆記
This meaning is most natural in the fixed structures 'give a blow' or 'with a blow'. It is less common than the 'hit' or 'setback' senses.
4. a short walk or trip outside to get fresh air and feel more awake or relaxed.
a short walk or trip outside to get fresh air and feel more awake or relaxed.
After studying all morning, Wei decided to go for a blow by the river.
go for + a blow (fixed phrase, British English)
Zola took the children for a blow in the park before lunch.
Mathieu and his wife went for a blow along the beach after dinner.
The doctor said a short blow in the garden would help her feel better.
- stroll
a slow, relaxed walk with no particular purpose
文法句型
go for + a + blow
用法筆記
Primarily British English. Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'go for a blow'. It is not used in American English for this meaning.
5. an informal slang word for cannabis (marijuana), used mainly in casual conversat
an informal slang word for cannabis (marijuana), used mainly in casual conversation rather than formal or medical contexts.
The police found a small amount of blow in the car during the search.
slang: uncountable noun for cannabis
Tariro warned his younger brother to stay away from people who sell blow.
The young musician wrote a sad song about how blow had hurt his friends.
Undercover officers arrested the man who was selling blow near the school.
用法筆記
Highly informal. In formal writing or speech, use 'cannabis' or 'marijuana' instead.
常見錯誤
6. a slang term for cocaine, especially common in contexts about nightlife, partyin
a slang term for cocaine, especially common in contexts about nightlife, partying, or drug culture.
Esteban lost his job and his friends because of his daily use of blow.
slang: uncountable noun for cocaine
The film shows how young people can get into trouble with blow.
The young actress went to a clinic to stop her habit with blow.
Many people do not realise how much money a habit with blow can cost.
- cocaine
the standard name for the drug
用法筆記
Highly informal slang. Common in conversations about nightlife, partying, or drug culture. In formal or professional writing, use 'cocaine' instead.
常見錯誤
7. A strong, sudden movement of air, often occurring during storms or on high groun
A strong, sudden movement of air, often occurring during storms or on high ground, forceful enough to push objects around or make walking difficult.
Winter blows knocked the old wooden fence down behind Keiko's house.
countable blow + knock [sth] down
A sudden cold blow from the north sent piles of dry leaves spinning across the garden.
blow + from + [direction]
A powerful blow of wind swept through the mountain pass, bending the pine trees low.
The fishing boats stayed in the harbour because the morning blows from the sea were too strong.
Halfway up the cliff path, a sudden blow of cold air nearly knocked Santiago off balance.
- calm
A period with no wind at all; the opposite of any wind-related 'blow'.
文法句型
a + [adjective] + blow (+ of wind)
blow + from + [direction]
用法筆記
Often used in the plural (blows) when describing sustained periods of strong wind, but the countable singular (a blow) can refer to a single gust or a current of air. This sense appears most often in literary, descriptive, or weather-reporting contexts.