What are the definitions of “blow away”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Kill.
He grabbed a gun and BLEW the police officer AWAY.
- 2Beat rivals or competitors by a large margin.
Their new product has BLOWN all the others AWAY.
- 3Impress greatly.
Her first novel BLEW me AWAY.
- 4When the wind moves something from a place.
The flag BLEW AWAY in the storm; we'll have to buy a new one.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “blow away”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb blow away is to impress someone greatly. When something is so amazing or surprising that it leaves a strong impression, we say it blows us away. For example, a fantastic performance, a beautiful piece of art, or an incredible invention can blow us away.
What are the different verb forms of “blow away”?
| Root Verb | blow away |
| Third Person Singular Present | blows away |
| Present Participle | blowing away |
| Simple Past | blew away |
| Past Participle | blown away |
Example
The new movie blew me away with its special effects.
Example
Her singing talent blows everyone away.
Example
The magician is blowing away the audience with his tricks.
Example
The fireworks display blew us away last night.
Example
I was blown away by the kindness of the people in the community.
What kind of phrasal verb is “blow away”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“blow away” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The performance blew the audience away.
Example
Her kindness blew me away.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“blow away” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The performance blew the audience away.
Example
Her kindness blew me away.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “blow away”?
To defeat competitors by a large margin or to be much better than others.
Example
Their innovative design blew away the competition at the trade show.
Good things to know
Does “blow away” have an informal or formal tone?
Blow away is generally considered informal and is more commonly used in casual conversations. In more formal settings, it is better to use synonyms like 'impress,' 'astonish,' or 'amaze' instead.
