blow off

British  

verb

1. to permit (a gas under pressure, esp steam) to be released

2. slang (intr) to emit wind noisily from the anus

3. informal (tr) to reject or jilt (someone)

4. See steam

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noun

1. a discharge of a surplus fluid, such as steam, under pressure

2. a device through which such a discharge is made

blow off Idioms  

1. Vent one's strong feelings; see blow off steam .

2. Disregard, ignore; evade something important. For example, If you blow off your homework, you're bound to run into trouble on the exam . [ Slang ; second half of 1900s]

3. Overcome, defeat easily, as in With Rob pitching, we'll have no trouble blowing off the opposing team . [ Slang ; 1950s] Also see blow away , def. 2.

4. Ignore, abandon, refuse to take part. For example, The college is blowing off our request for a new student center . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

Though Santi likes to hit, perhaps just to blow off steam, he has become alienated from the game and resistant to advice — for reasons we will learn, besides the usual teenage anomie.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 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

"We booked it so we could either celebrate or blow off some steam - a good night out to forget the stress," she says.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2024

Each one was secured to the next, so as not to blow off in a storm.

From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich

Related Words

• break
• cease
• close
• drop
• end
• halt
• hold
• kill
• pause
• put an end to
• quit
• stall
• stand
• stay