blow away: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘blow away’ mean?
The idiom "blow away" means to impress or amaze someone greatly. It is often used to describe something that has a very strong impact on someone, leaving them in awe or astonishment.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "knock someone's socks off" means to greatly impress or amaze someone. It suggests the idea of figuratively knocking off someone's socks, indicating a strong and positive reaction to something.
The idiom "knock someone over with a feather" means to greatly surprise or astonish someone to the point where they are rendered speechless or unable to react.
The idiom "knock someone down with a feather" means to greatly surprise or shock someone. The use of the feather emphasizes how unexpected or unbelievable the news or event is.
The idiom "dry up and blow away" means to disappear or become forgotten, often due to lack of attention or relevance. It conveys the idea of something becoming insignificant or irrelevant over time.
The idiom "drop a bombshell" means to reveal surprising or shocking news or information that has a powerful and disruptive impact.
The idiom "bowl over" means to greatly surprise or impress someone with such force that they are overwhelmed or knocked off balance.
The idiom "blow to kingdom come" means to completely destroy something or someone with a powerful explosion.
The idiom "blow this pop stand" means to leave or exit a place, particularly when one is dissatisfied or bored with the current situation.
"Blow the lid off" is an idiom that means to expose or reveal something shocking or secret, often causing a scandal or controversy.
Unveiling the Secrets of "Blow Away"
The idiom "blow away" is a commonly used phrase in American English. It has multiple meanings and uses, both literal and figurative.
Literally, "blow away" refers to wind or air forcefully moving something or someone away. For example, you might say "the wind blew away the papers" or "the hurricane blew away the entire structure." These phrases describe the physical displacement caused by wind.
Figuratively, "blow away" has a different set of meanings. It can be used to describe impressing or amazing someone. When something or someone "blows you away," it means they have greatly exceeded your expectations or left a lasting impression. You might say "the performance blew me away" or "the new movie really blew me away."
Another figurative meaning of "blow away" is associated with decisively defeating someone or something. For example, you might say "the home team easily blew away their opponents" or "the software company blew away its competition." In these cases, the idiom conveys overwhelming superiority or dominance.
The origins of the idiom "blow away" can be traced back to its literal meaning. The act of wind forcefully moving objects or people away served as the basis for its figurative uses. The sense of being impressed or amazed may have derived from the idea of something being so powerful or awe-inspiring that it figuratively "blows" a person away. Similarly, the notion of defeating someone decisively may have been influenced by the forceful action of wind, implying a complete removal or displacement of the opponent.
"blow away" is a versatile idiom that conveys a sense of impact and power. It can refer to the physical displacement caused by wind, as well as the acts of impressing or defeating someone or something. Its origins can be traced back to the literal sense of forcefully moving objects or people away. Whether used in a literal or figurative context, "blow away" is a powerful idiom that captures the imagination.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "blow away" can be used in a sentence:
1. The strong wind blew away all the leaves from the trees.
2. The amazing performance by the singer completely blew away the audience.
3. The new technology is expected to blow away the competition in the market.
More "verb" idioms
