BLOW UP
1. To blow up something (or blow something up) means to fill it with air; for example, a balloon, or a car or bicycle tyre.
Example of use:
- Can you blow these balloons up for the party, please?
2. Blow up also means to suddenly lose your temper (get very angry).
Informal English.
Example of use:
- I broke her iPad and she blew up at me.
- We were having a discussion about the accounts and he suddenly blew up and stormed out.
3. When something blows up (or when somebody blows something up) it explodes.
Examples of use:
- The family were injured when their house blew up because of a gas leak.
- Fortunately the plane was empty when the hijackers blew it up.
| infinitive | blow up |
| present simple | blow up and blows up |
| -ing form | blowing up |
| past simple | blew up |
| past participle | blown up |