blew away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blew away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong emotional reaction, often indicating that someone was very impressed or surprised by something. Example: "The performance was so incredible that it completely blew me away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The words blew away.

The New York Times

It blew away the competition.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"They just blew away," she told Bobby.

The New Yorker

Its bowlers then blew away Bangladesh's batting.

The New York Times - Sports

In some states whole fields blew away.

The New York Times

It blew away from his palm.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Blown away.

Yale University

She was blown away.

The New York Times

I was blown away.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I am blown away.

The Economist

Those numbers were blown away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "blew away" to express that someone or something has significantly outperformed expectations, or has been utterly impressive. For instance, "The new product's sales figures blew away all projections."

Common error

While "blew away" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary, such as "surpassed", "exceeded", or "outperformed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "blew away" functions primarily as a verb expressing a completed action in the past. It signifies either the forceful removal of something by wind or, more commonly, a figurative meaning of being greatly impressed or surpassing expectations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blew away" is a phrasal verb primarily used to convey strong emotions or surpassing expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While common across various contexts, it is especially prevalent in News & Media sources. For formal writing, consider synonyms like "exceeded" or "surpassed". The phrase serves to express significant impact, and while it maintains a neutral register, it tends towards informality. Given its widespread usage and clear semantic meaning, writers can confidently use "blew away" while being mindful of the intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greatly impressed

Focuses on the positive emotional impact and admiration caused by something.

utterly amazed

Emphasizes a strong feeling of surprise and wonder.

completely surpassed

Highlights exceeding expectations or performance levels.

significantly outperformed

Implies a measurable and considerable improvement over a benchmark.

decisively defeated

Stresses a clear and unambiguous victory or overcoming of opposition.

easily won against

Indicates a victory achieved without much difficulty.

swept aside

Suggests a forceful and rapid removal or elimination of something.

left speechless

Highlights the overwhelming impact that something has on someone, rendering them unable to speak.

exceeded all expectations

Focuses on surpassing anticipated outcomes or results.

knocked someone's socks off

An idiomatic expression signifying extreme delight or astonishment.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something "blew away" expectations?

When something "blew away" expectations, it means it greatly exceeded what was anticipated or predicted. It implies a significant positive surprise due to superior performance or results.

How can I use "blew away" in a sentence?

You can use "blew away" to describe something that remarkably impressed you or surpassed expectations. For example, "The band's performance at the concert blew me away", or "The company's earnings report blew away analysts' estimates".

What are some alternatives to saying "blew away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "greatly impressed", "utterly amazed", or "completely surpassed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "blew away" appropriate for formal writing?

While "blew away" is generally acceptable, it might be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "exceeded" or "outperformed" to maintain a professional tone.