# blow out

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blow-out
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to extinguish a flame

phrasal verb · CEFR A2

to put out a flame, like a candle, by blowing air from your mouth.

For teachers: to extinguish a flame or fire by means of a current of air.

- Make a wish before you blow out the candles on your cake.
- The sudden draft from the open window threatened to blow out the lanterns before the guests had even arrived.

Usage: The object can sit between 'blow' and 'out' or after the full phrase.

### 2. to defeat easily

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to win a game or competition by a very large score.

For teachers: to defeat an opponent decisively or by a significant margin in a sporting contest. Informal in register.

- Our team was so much better that we blew them out in the first half.
- The defending champions blew out the challengers in a lopsided final that left fans questioning the league's competitive balance.

### 3. to burst or break

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to break suddenly, especially a car tyre or a light bulb.

For teachers: to fail or burst suddenly due to pressure, overcurrent, or wear. Often used for tyres or electrical components.

- The car's rear tyre blew out while we were driving on the motorway.
- The old transformer blew out during the thunderstorm, leaving the entire residential block without power for several hours.

### 4. to injure a joint

phrasal verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to seriously injure a part of your body that moves, like a knee or shoulder.

For teachers: to suffer a severe injury to a joint, typically involving the tearing of ligaments or tendons.

- The athlete blew out his knee during the final minutes of the game.
- After he blew out his ACL for the second time, the surgeon advised him to retire from professional football permanently.

### 5. to spend a lot

phrasal verb · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

to spend a large amount of money on something special.

For teachers: to spend an extravagant amount of money, often impulsively or for a celebration. Primarily British English.

- We decided to blow out on a fancy dinner for our anniversary.
- Having received his year-end bonus, he decided to blow it all out on a first-class trip to Japan.

## Examples

- Make a wish and blow out the candles.
- She blew out the match carefully before throwing it in the bin to avoid any danger.
- The sudden gust of wind from the open window blew out the scented candles, plunging the dining room into near-total darkness.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: contrast with 'put out', which is a general term for extinguishing any fire; 'blow out' specifically requires the use of air.

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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.