# blow away

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blow-away
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to impress or surprise you very much because something is so good or powerful.

For teachers: To impress, surprise, or overwhelm someone significantly. Transitive; frequently occurs in the passive voice or with a pronominal object between the verb and particle.

## Examples

- The singer's voice will blow you away.
- I was completely blown away by the quality of the food at that tiny local restaurant.
- The sheer scale of the architectural project, with its intricate glass facades and sustainable energy systems, is enough to blow away even the most cynical critics.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The movie blew away me." but "The movie blew me away." — When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- Usually takes a person as the object and often appears in the passive form 'to be blown away by'.
- Teaching tip: Contrast the figurative meaning of being impressed with the literal meaning of wind moving an object to help students visualize the impact.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.