blow-off
Definition
- Noun:
- An emission of gas or steam: "blow-off" refers to the act of releasing or venting gas, steam, or pressure from a container or system.
- A device for venting: It can also mean a mechanical part, such as a valve, used to release gas or steam.
- A boastful person: In informal American slang, "blow-off" describes someone who is a braggart or talks excessively and emptily.
- A dismissal or rejection: Colloquially, it can mean an act of ignoring, dismissing, or snubbing someone or something.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The steam engine's blow-off released excess pressure. (An emission of steam from a machine.)
- He installed a blow-off valve on the boiler. (A device for venting gas.)
- Don't listen to that blow-off; he never tells the truth. (A boastful person who talks nonsense.)
- She gave him the blow-off after he was rude. (A dismissal or rejection of a person.)
Advanced Usage
"to give someone the blow-off": to deliberately ignore or snub someone.
- After the argument, she gave her friend the blow-off for a week. (She refused to acknowledge or speak to her friend.)
"blow-off steam": to release pent-up energy, emotion, or frustration (note: this is a related idiom, but the target word "blow-off" alone is not this phrase).
- He went for a run to blow off steam. (He exercised to release stress.)
Variants and Related Words
- Blowoff (n): an alternative spelling of "blow-off", meaning the same thing.
- The blowoff from the pressure cooker was loud. (The release of steam.)
Synonyms
- Vent: an opening that allows gas or air to escape.
- Braggart: a person who boasts excessively.
- Snub: an act of rejecting or ignoring someone.
Related Idioms
Blow off course: to deviate from a planned path due to external forces (often metaphorical).
- The project was blown off course by budget cuts. (The project was derailed.)
Blow off the map: to destroy completely (used hyperbolically).
- The explosion could blow the building off the map. (The explosion could obliterate the building.)