blow away
Britishverb
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to kill (someone) by shooting
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to defeat decisively
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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]
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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.
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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.
“You’re going to blow away your father, and he’ll be very happy about that because he loves you.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
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 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
He’s not twitching no more and the steam is starting to blow away.
From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness
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.
