What are the definitions of “blow out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Extinguish candles, matches, etc..
She BLEW the candles OUT on her birthday cake.
- 2Defeat decisively.
The Broncos BLEW OUT the Raiders 55 0.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “blow out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb blow out is to extinguish something that is burning, such as candles or matches, by blowing air onto it. For example, it can mean blowing out candles on a birthday cake or putting out a match after lighting a fire.
What are the different verb forms of “blow out”?
| Root Verb | blow out |
| Third Person Singular Present | blows out |
| Present Participle | blowing out |
| Simple Past | blew out |
| Past Participle | blown out |
Example
He blew out the match after lighting the candle.
Example
She blows out the candles on her birthday cake every year.
Example
He is blowing out the candles on his cake.
Example
Yesterday, she blew out the candles on her cake.
Example
The candles had been blown out before we arrived.
What kind of phrasal verb is “blow out”?
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 out” 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
She blew out the candles on her birthday cake.
Example
He blew the match out after lighting the fire.
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 out” 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
She blew out the candles on her birthday cake.
Example
He blew the match out after lighting the fire.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “blow out”?
Good things to know
Does “blow out” have an informal or formal tone?
Blow out is generally considered a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in more formal settings depending on the context. For example, when discussing a sports game or a sale event, it can have a more informal tone. However, in most cases, blow out is considered a neutral phrasal verb used in everyday speech.
