blowoff
Americannoun
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a current of escaping surplus steam, water, etc..
The safety valve released a violent blowoff from the furnace.
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a device that permits and channels such a current.
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Slang. a person who brags or boasts; a blow-hard.
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a temporary, sudden surge, as in prices.
The Federal Reserve Board's credit tightening could cause a blowoff in interest rates.
Etymology
Origin of blowoff
First recorded in 1830–40; noun use of verb phrase blow off
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.
“Even before the pandemic, people thought of Friday as a kind of blowoff day. And now there’s a growing expectation that you can work from home to jump-start your weekend.”
From Washington Post
Regions with frequent storms need to be inspected for potential blowoff and roof strength.
From Seattle Times
“I had been seeing a guy for a few weeks but was promptly socially distanced with a text that reminded me of the Dear John messages that I was accustomed to receiving as a single gal in Los Angeles ending with ‘This sounds like a blowoff, but I hope you understand it’s not that at all.
From Los Angeles Times
They will vote on whether to turn away from smash-mouth politics or double down on a presidency that serves as a national blowoff valve.
From Washington Post
“I did kind of think it would be a blowoff class.”
From Washington Post
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.
