blow through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blow through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of moving quickly through something, often with a sense of urgency or carelessness. Example: "He tends to blow through his assignments without paying much attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You could blow through them.

The New York Times

Breezes blow through darkened corridors.

The New York Times

South winds blow through the air.

The New York Times - Travel

MATT WILSON: So I'm just going to blow through this.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She felt the breeze blow through her hair.

The New Yorker

Blizzards are known to blow through in August.

The New York Times

"It's just amazing the stuff we blow through," Skiba said.

The New York Times - Sports

Cyclists blow through red lights and stop signs, threatening pedestrians.

The Washington Post

At the nicer huts, curtains blow through openings.

MIT Technology Review

But most typhoons blow through in a day or two.

The New York Times - Travel

I just enjoy watching the wind blow through the trees.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context is clear when using "blow through" to describe movement. Specify what is being moved through to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "blow through" when you mean "blow up", which implies an explosion or sudden end. "Blow through" suggests a continuous movement or consumption, whereas "blow up" suggests a singular, destructive event.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "blow through" is as a phrasal verb. Ludwig shows its versatility, functioning to describe both literal movement, such as "winds blow through", and metaphorical depletion, like "blow through savings".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

30%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blow through" is a versatile phrasal verb used to convey rapid movement, quick consumption, or effortless completion. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the specific nuance you wish to express. Remember to distinguish it from similar phrases like "blow up" and explore alternatives such as "rush through" or "speed through" for more precise communication. Avoid overuse and ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what is being "blown through". Understanding these nuances ensures effective and accurate use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rush through

Implies a quicker, less thorough action.

speed through

Focuses on the velocity of movement or action.

sail through

Suggests ease and lack of difficulty in completing something.

breeze through

Similar to 'sail through', emphasizes effortless progress.

consume rapidly

Emphasizes quick usage or depletion of resources.

deplete quickly

Focuses on the fast exhaustion of something.

overcome swiftly

Highlights a fast resolution of a problem or obstacle.

surmount rapidly

Similar to 'overcome swiftly', but with a slightly more formal tone.

expend hastily

Implies a rapid and perhaps careless use of resources.

move quickly through

A more literal alternative, describing fast physical movement.

FAQs

How can I use "blow through" in a sentence?

You can use "blow through" to describe quickly spending money, rapidly consuming resources, or moving swiftly through a place or task. For example, "They tend to "rush through" assignments without attention to detail."

What does it mean to "blow through" something?

To "blow through" something can mean to use it up very quickly, to move past it rapidly, or to complete it without much effort. The exact meaning depends on the context.

Which is correct, "blow through" or "blow over"?

"Blow through" and "blow over" have different meanings. "Blow through" means to move quickly or consume rapidly, while "blow over" typically means that something will pass without causing significant damage or concern. For example, "This scandal will "pass quickly"."

What can I say instead of "blow through"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "rush through", "speed through", "consume rapidly", or "overcome swiftly".