blow away
Britishverb
-
to kill (someone) by shooting
-
to defeat decisively
-
Kill, especially by gunshot or explosion. For example, The unit reported that the whole village was blown away . This usage became particularly widespread in the 1960s, during the Vietnam War. [ Slang ; early 1990s]
-
Overcome easily; defeat decisively. For example, Ann said the test would be easy; she would just blow it away , or Jim was sure his crew could blow away their opponents . [ Slang ; 1960s] Also see blow off , def. 5.
-
Impress greatly, overwhelm with surprise, delight, or shock, as in That music really blew me away . [ Slang ; c. 1970] Also see blow one's mind .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Moe, however, predicts 320% earnings growth this year and 35% next year—levels that blow away expectations for regional peers.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
DoorDash revealed a set of financial results and guidance that didn’t blow away analyst expectations but the stock nonetheless was rallying on Thursday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
DoorDash revealed a set of financial results and guidance that didn’t blow away analyst expectations but the stock nonetheless was rallying in premarket trade on Thursday.
From MarketWatch ● May 7, 2026
But in the hand, it immediately began to disintegrate and blow away in the light breeze.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2025
They blow away trees and glee clubs and whatever else there is to blow away.
From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.