blown out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blown out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been extinguished, deflated, or overwhelmed, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The candle was blown out by the sudden gust of wind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's not like we're getting blown out".

The New York Times - Sports

The glass is all blown out".

The New York Times

Both eardrums… were blown out as well.

The New Yorker

The elevators are completely blown out".

The New York Times

"Maybe you were blown out," Flaherty said.

The New York Times - Magazine

He thought the bees were blown out in a storm.

Cornell University

"It's freshly washed, blown out straight with a round brush.

The New York Times

Dangler; "being blown out" does not describe "it".

The New York Times

You'd think I'd been blown out into the Bay".

The New York Times

These things can get easily blown out of proportion.

The New York Times

Windows are blown out," he added.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the extent of damage after an explosion or strong impact, use "blown out" to vividly convey the force and destruction involved. For example, "The windows were "blown out" by the blast".

Common error

Avoid using "blown out" loosely in contexts where the intended meaning could be confused as something literally being extinguished or exploded. Ensure the context clearly indicates the figurative sense (e.g., "blown out of proportion") to prevent miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blown out" functions primarily as a past participle of the phrasal verb "blow out". It commonly modifies nouns to describe a state of being damaged, extinguished, or exaggerated. Ludwig confirms this with examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "blown out" is a versatile term with several meanings, ranging from physical destruction to figurative exaggeration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently encountered in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase can describe windows being "blown out" by an explosion, a situation being "blown out" of proportion, or a sports team suffering a crushing defeat. While generally neutral in register, its specific meaning relies heavily on the surrounding context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of proportion

Directly captures the meaning of something being represented as more significant than it is.

exploded

Focuses on the act of bursting or shattering violently, similar to the destructive sense of "blown out".

destroyed

Signifies complete ruin or devastation, similar to the physical damage implied by "blown out".

shattered

Highlights the act of breaking into pieces violently, like the destructive aspect of "blown out".

amplified

Emphasizes making something larger or more significant, akin to something being "blown out" of proportion.

exaggerated

Indicates that something is represented as greater than it actually is, comparable to a situation being "blown out" of proportion.

extinguished

Relates to the act of putting out a flame or light, similar to one meaning of "blown out".

defeated decisively

Highlights a clear and unambiguous loss, resembling the sporting context of being "blown out".

lost badly

Indicates a significant defeat, comparable to the sporting context of being "blown out".

vanquished

Stresses a complete and overwhelming victory over someone, akin to being "blown out" in a competition.

FAQs

How can I use "blown out" to describe damage?

You can use "blown out" to describe windows or structures destroyed by an explosion or high-impact event. For example, "The windows were "blown out" by the force of the explosion."

What does it mean when something is "blown out of proportion"?

It means something has been "exaggerated" or made to seem more important or serious than it actually is.

What's an alternative to saying a team was "blown out" in a game?

Alternatives include "defeated decisively", "lost badly", or "vanquished".

Is it correct to say a fuse was "blown out"?

Yes, you can say a fuse was "blown out" to indicate that it has failed and stopped working due to an electrical overload.