blow off

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in the phrase “blow off steam,” meaning to do something to relieve stress or anger. For example, "I took a long walk to blow off some steam after a stressful day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

He could blow off course.

The Guardian

Helps us blow off some steam".

The New York Times

"I need to blow off more CO2," the resident retorted.

The New Yorker

When you go blow off steam, accidents happen".

The New York Times

"I do it to blow off some steam," Carlsen says.

The New Yorker

"Will that blow off the cover?" The presenters weren't sure.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

"This was the ultimate blow-off line," she said.

The New York Times - Style

A blow-off sequence was then examined and the results were used to evaluate some of the theories and mechanisms responsible for flame blow-off.

Combustion and Flame

Along with the anomalous blow-off behavior, normal blow-off occurring at increased velocity was observed for mixtures with high hydrogen content at the lowest tested equivalence ratios.

Combustion and Flame

The results of the second study link blow-off to partially unsealed shingles.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Lifted, attached, blow-out and blow-off regimes have been addressed and discussed in this work.

Combustion and Flame

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "blow off" to relieve stress. For example, if you're feeling overwhelmed at work, take a break to "blow off steam" by going for a walk or listening to music.

Common error

Be mindful of the potentially negative connotation of "blow off" when referring to people or commitments. Using a more neutral term like "reschedule" or "decline" might be preferable to avoid causing offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "blow off" functions primarily as a verb indicating the act of ignoring or dismissing something, or releasing pent-up energy. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in both contexts, supported by Ludwig AI’s analysis as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "blow off" is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, most commonly referring to ignoring or dismissing something, or to relieving stress, as validated by Ludwig. Its usage is frequent across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically correct, it tends towards a neutral to informal register. When deciding whether to use "blow off", consider alternatives like "disregard" or "release steam" depending on your desired tone and context. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure and common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

release steam

Specifically refers to relieving pressure, often emotional.

disregard

Focuses on ignoring or not paying attention to something.

dismiss

Emphasizes rejecting something as unimportant or irrelevant.

ignore

Highlights a deliberate choice not to acknowledge something.

shirk

Implies neglecting a responsibility or duty.

neglect

Suggests a failure to care for or attend to something properly.

vent

Focuses on releasing pent-up emotions or pressure.

take a break from

Suggests temporarily stopping an activity to relieve stress.

pass over

Indicates choosing to ignore or not select something.

abandon

Implies leaving something or someone completely.

FAQs

How can I use "blow off steam" in a sentence?

You can use "blow off steam" to describe activities that help release stress or tension. For instance, "After a long day, I like to "blow off steam" by going to the gym."

What does it mean to "blow off" someone or something?

To "blow off" someone or something means to disregard or ignore them. For example, "He decided to "blow off" the meeting to go to the beach".

Are there formal alternatives to "blow off"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use more formal alternatives such as "disregard", "dismiss", or "neglect".

Is "blow off" appropriate for formal writing?

While "blow off" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. For professional or academic contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "ignore" or "dismiss" to maintain a professional tone.