Definition

Verb (intransitive): 1. To pass away or subside; to come to an end without serious consequences. Used to describe a difficult situation, a problem, a scandal, or strong emotions that gradually fade away or are forgotten.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used to describe events, feelings, or situations that are intense for a period but eventually diminish in importance or disappear completely. It often implies relief that the matter did not cause lasting damage. * It is typically used with subjects like storm, argument, controversy, crisis, fad, anger. * It describes a natural, gradual process of ending.

Examples

• "Don't worry about the disagreement; it will blow over in a few days."
• "The media scandal eventually blew over, and the politician's career continued."
• "Wait for the storm to blow over before you go outside."
• "His anger was intense, but I knew it would blow over by morning."

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: While it can literally describe a weather storm passing, it is more commonly used figuratively for non-physical events.
  • "The initial panic about the new policy blew over once people understood it better."

Variants and Related Words

• Blow (verb): As a main verb, has many meanings including , , or . The phrasal verb blow over is distinct from these.
• Blow up (phrasal verb): Means to explode or to become very angry, which is often the event that needs to blow over.

Synonyms

• Pass: To go by or end.
  • "The feeling of nausea will pass."
• Subside: To become less intense or severe.
  • "The floodwaters finally subsided."
• Fade: To disappear gradually.
  • "The memory faded with time."
• Die down: To become gradually less strong or loud.
  • "The noise died down after midnight."

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Blow out: To extinguish (a flame) or to burst (a tire).
  • "He blew out the candles."
• Blow away: To impress greatly or to be carried by the wind.
  • "Her performance blew me away."

Related Idioms

• A storm in a teacup: A lot of unnecessary anger or worry about a trivial matter. This is the of situation that will blow over quickly.
  • "Their argument was just a storm in a teacup; it was forgotten by lunchtime."
• Run its course: To develop and finish naturally. Similar to blow over but can imply a more predictable process.
  • "The illness has to run its course; just get plenty of rest."

Verb

1. disappear gradually
   • The pain eventually passed off