Definition

Adjective: - Providing a very detailed, sequential description: Describes an account, description, or report that narrates events in minute detail, exactly as they happened, often moment by moment.

Usage

The adjective "blow-by-blow" is used attributively, almost always before a noun, to describe a narrative style. It emphasizes a meticulous, step-by-step recounting of events, leaving out very little. It is commonly used with words like account, description, report, narrative, or retelling.

Examples

• The witness gave the police a blow-by-blow account of the accident.
• I don't need a blow-by-blow description of your entire day; just tell me the important parts.
• The book provides a blow-by-blow narrative of the historic peace negotiations.

Advanced Usage

• Journalistic and Analytical Contexts: Often used in journalism, history, sports commentary, and legal contexts where precise chronology and detail are critical.
  • The documentary featured a blow-by-blow analysis of the championship fight.

Variants and Related Words

• Blow-by-blow can function as a compound adjective. There is no direct single-word variant, but the concept is related to detailed narration.
• Detailed (adj): Containing many details. (Less specific about sequential order than "blow-by-blow").
• Minute (adj): Very detailed. (e.g., ).
• Sequential (adj): Forming or following a logical order or sequence.

Synonyms

• Detailed
• Play-by-play (Very similar, often used for describing sports events or real-time action).
• Minute
• Exhaustive (in terms of detail)
• Circumstantial (formal, meaning detailed and particular about circumstances)

Antonyms

• Summary
• Abridged
• Brief
• Cursory
• Sketchy

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To give someone a blow-by-blow": This is a common verbal phrase where the object (e.g., ) is implied.
  • After the meeting, she called her friend to give her a blow-by-blow.
• Play-by-play: While often interchangeable, "play-by-play" is strongly associated with live sports commentary, whereas "blow-by-blow" has a broader application to any detailed narrative of events.

Adjective

1. providing great detail
   • a blow-by-blow account of the movie