blow-by-blow

[bloh-bahy-bloh]

adjective

1. precisely detailed; describing every minute detail and step.

   a blow-by-blow account of the tennis match; a blow-by-blow report on the wedding ceremony.

noun

1. a blow-by-blow account.

blow-by-blow

adjective

1. (prenominal) explained in great detail

   a blow-by-blow account of the argument

Word History and Origins

Origin of blow by blow¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Idioms and Phrases

Described in minute detail, as in Tell me about last night's party, blow by blow. This term originated in radio broadcasts during the 1930s, in which the sportscaster gave a detailed account of each punch struck in a boxing match. It soon was transferred to a detailed account of anything at all.

Example Sentences

In court, Austin gave the first blow-by-blow account of the killing, saying they walked up a tree-lined street in Woodland Hills and arrived at the couple’s doorstep.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The New York Times, which first reported on the upside-down flag, published a blow-by-blow account of the neighbourhood dispute on Tuesday.

Read more on BBC

It was painstaking, and sometimes dull, and included a blow-by-blow account about how checks were approved, then cut, then mailed, then signed, then returned.

Read more on Seattle Times

Simpson trial, certainly wouldn’t have been the premier spectacle of a generation if not for the blow-by-blow live broadcast from Los Angeles to the rest of the world.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I have never seen what was known as a struggle session depicted blow-by-blow on the screen.

Read more on New York Times