Of a rocket or spacecraft: to leave the ground with explosive propulsion; figuratively, to start something with great energy.
For a rocket to shoot up into the sky, OR for something to start very fast and powerfully.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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)
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."
To blast (explode propulsively) off the ground — fully transparent.
For a rocket to shoot up into the sky, OR for something to start very fast and powerfully.
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.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "blast off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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