blow-by-blow
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- providing great detail
- a blow-by-blow account of the movie