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blow off

B2 informal separable both
In simple words

To not do something you were supposed to do, or to ignore someone; also for the wind to remove something.

Literal meaning: For wind or air pressure to force something off its position.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To cancel or ignore a person, appointment, or obligation without a good reason.

"He blew off the job interview at the last minute — what was he thinking?"

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

Of wind or an explosion: to remove or detach something by force.

"The gust of wind nearly blew my hat off."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal

To release pent-up energy, anger, or stress (always in the phrase 'blow off steam').

"She went for a long run to blow off steam after the argument."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The 'ignore or cancel' sense is primarily American informal. 'Let off steam' / 'blow off steam' is a very common fixed expression. The literal wind sense is universal. 'Blow off' can also refer to flatulence in very informal British slang.

Commonly used with

steam meeting class date friend lid pressure

Forms

Base
blow off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
blows off
he/she/it
Past simple
blew off
yesterday
Past participle
blown off
have + pp
-ing form
blowing off
continuous

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Synonyms

skip ditch stand up ignore dismiss cancel

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