Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To launch into flight or space, especially describing the moment a rocket or spacecraft leaves the ground with great force and power.
   • To depart or leave very quickly and energetically.

Usage

• The verb blast off is typically used to describe the launch of rockets, spacecraft, or missiles. It emphasizes the powerful ignition and liftoff.
• It can also be used informally to describe a person or thing departing with sudden speed or energy.
• It is an intransitive phrasal verb; it does not take a direct object. The thing launching is the subject of the sentence.

Examples

• For spacecraft/rockets:
  • The spacecraft is scheduled to blast off at dawn tomorrow.
  • We watched the rocket blast off from the launchpad.
• Informal use for quick departure:
  • As soon as the bell rang, the kids blasted off for the playground.
  • He blasted off down the street on his new motorcycle.

Advanced Usage

• "to blast off from/at": Specifies the point of departure.
  • The mission will blast off from the Kennedy Space Center.
• Used in the -ing form to describe the ongoing action or event.
  • The blasting off of the new satellite was televised live.

Variants and Related Words

• Blastoff (noun): The moment or act of launching.
  • The blastoff was successful and the rocket entered orbit.
• Liftoff (noun): A near synonym for the noun form, focusing on the moment of leaving the ground.
  • We have achieved liftoff.

Synonyms

• Launch: To set in motion, send off. (A more general term; "blast off" implies the specific force and fire of a rocket launch.)
• Take off: To become airborne. (Common for aircraft; "blast off" is more specific to vertical, rocket-powered launches.)
• Lift off: To begin flight, especially vertically. (Very close in meaning, often used interchangeably.)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Blast away: To remove something by explosion or to leave quickly. (Different meaning, focusing on removal or departure with force.)
  • They used dynamite to blast away the rock.
• Blast out: To produce a loud sound or to leave a place suddenly.
  • The speakers blasted out music.

Related Idioms

• "Ready for blastoff": Prepared and eager to begin something energetically.
  • The team was ready for blastoff at the start of the new project.

Verb

1. launch with great force
   • the rockets were blasted off