Meaning trap
blow up
explode
to burst or break apart suddenly and violently, often with a loud noise.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to burst or break apart suddenly and violently, often with a loud noise.
Another meaning of 'blow up' is 'become very angry'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The old factory blew up after the fire reached the gas tanks.daily life
- In my hometown, there was an accident where a gas pipe blew up, and it caused a lot of damage to nearby buildings.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: blow up (something) / blow (something) up
WrongThe bomb blew off in the street.
RightThe bomb blew up in the street.
'Blow up' = explode; 'blow off' means something else (e.g. skip / ignore).
Patternblow up (something) / blow (something) up
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Blow up' is the everyday verb for exploding; 'detonated' is technical/military.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
blow up (explode)the buildinga bombinto piecesaccidentally
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'blow out' (to extinguish) or 'blow over' (to pass without serious effect).
Related
- blow up (become very angry) — Another meaning of 'blow up' is 'become very angry'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.