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?"
separable
blow off
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To ignore or cancel an obligation or person; for something to be removed by wind; or to release pressure.
In plain English
To not do something you were supposed to do, or to ignore someone; also for the wind to remove something.
What does "blow off" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
Of wind or an explosion: to remove or detach something by force.
"The gust of wind nearly blew my hat off."
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For wind or air pressure to force something off its position.
Actually means
To not do something you were supposed to do, or to ignore someone; also for the wind to remove something.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "blow off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
steam meeting class date friend lid pressure
How to conjugate "blow off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "blow off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "blow off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "blow off"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.