blow up

verb

1. to explode or cause to explode
2. tr to increase the importance of (something)

   they blew the whole affair up

3. intr to come into consideration

   we lived well enough before this thing blew up

4. intr to come into existence with sudden force

   a storm had blown up

5. informal.
   to lose one's temper (with a person)
6. informal.
   tr to reprimand (someone)
7. informal.
   tr to enlarge the size or detail of (a photograph)

noun

1. an explosion
2. informal.
   an enlarged photograph or part of a photograph
3. informal.
   a fit of temper or argument
4. informal.
   Also calledblowing up a reprimand

Example Sentences

And if he gets his way on selections for some of the most important posts in government, he would put in place loyalists intent on blowing up the very departments they would lead.

From Salon

In October, the North blew up sections of two roads that connected it to South Korea, days after accusing Seoul of flying drones into the North’s capital Pyongyang.

From BBC

Musk has long belittled fuel-cell vehicles and Trump has often talked about hydrogen cars blowing up like an “atomic bomb.”

From Los Angeles Times

With an unblocked defender blowing up the play in the backfield, Herbert cut back to his left, slithering through the defense for a four-yard touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times

A man who pleaded guilty to taking part in disorder over the summer previously tried to blow up a mosque, it has emerged.

From BBC

Related Words

• burst
• crash
• detonation
• eruption
• explosion
• outbreak
• outburst
• volley