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Synonyms

blow off steam

Idioms  

  1. Also, let off steam. Air or relieve one's pent-up feelings by loud talk or vigorous activity. For example, Joan's shouting did not mean she was angry at you; she was just blowing off steam, or After spending the day on very exacting work, Tom blew off steam by going for a long run. This metaphoric term refers to easing the pressure in a steam engine. [Early 1800s]

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.

When I need to blow off steam, I like to go for a bike ride.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

It’s a dream living situation for any group of queer friends, one that ensures there’s always a friendly ear close by, ready to listen when someone needs to blow off steam.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

It started as a way to blow off steam in the studio.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2023

“Even though he encountered a misfortune there, it’s always been somewhere where Kev can let his hair down, party, blow off steam and somewhat still move in obscurity,” Ratchford added.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2023

He said writing in this book could be my way to blow off steam.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman

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.