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blast off

B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

For a rocket to shoot up into the sky, OR for something to start very fast and powerfully.

Literal meaning: To blast (explode propulsively) off the ground — fully transparent.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

Of a rocket, missile, or spacecraft: to leave the launch pad and rise into the air or space using explosive propulsion.

"The crew held their breath as the rocket blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center."

"We have liftoff — Discovery has blasted off."

— NASA Mission Control commentary, Space Shuttle Discovery launch (widely reported)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

Figuratively, to start something with great speed, energy, or enthusiasm.

"The new product blasted off with record sales in its first week on the market."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The primary and most common sense refers to rocket launches. The figurative sense (starting something energetically) is less common but appears in informal business and sports contexts: 'The campaign blasted off with a huge event.' Often appears as the compound noun 'blastoff' or 'blast-off.' Used in both British and American English.

Commonly used with

rocket shuttle spacecraft mission launch pad countdown

Forms

Base
blast off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
blasts off
he/she/it
Past simple
blasted off
yesterday
Past participle
blasted off
have + pp
-ing form
blasting off
continuous

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