Definitions for the word "blow" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. v.
(past blew; past part. Blown) 1 direct a current of air (at) esp. From the mouth. 2 drive or be driven by blowing (blew the door open). 3 (esp. Of the wind) move rapidly. 4 expel by breathing (blew smoke). 5 sound or be sounded by blowing. 6 (past part. Blowed) slang (esp. In imper.) Curse, confound (i''m blowed if i know; blow it!). 7 clear (the nose) by blowing. 8 puff, pant. 9 slang depart suddenly (from). 10 shatter etc. By an explosion. 11 make or shape (glass or a bubble) by blowing. 12 a melt from overloading (the fuse has blown). B break or burst suddenly. 13 (of a whale) eject air and water. 14 break into with explosives. 15 slang a squander (blew £20). B bungle (an opportunity etc.). C reveal (a secret etc.). n. 1 act of blowing. 2 a gust of wind or air. B exposure to fresh air. be blowed if one will colloq. Be unwilling to. Blow a gasket slang lose one''s temper. Blow hot and cold colloq. Vacillate. Blow in 1 break inwards by an explosion. 2 colloq. Arrive unexpectedly. Blow a person''s mind slang cause to have hallucinations etc.; astound. Blow off 1 escape or allow (steam etc.) To escape forcibly. 2 slang break wind noisily. Blow out 1 extinguish by blowing. 2 send outwards by an explosion. Blow over (of trouble etc.) Fade away. Blow one''s top colloq. Explode in rage. Blow up 1 explode. 2 colloq. Rebuke strongly. 3 inflate (a tyre etc.). 4 colloq. A enlarge (a photograph). B exaggerate. 5 colloq. Arise, happen. 6 colloq. Lose one''s temper. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
2. n.
1 hard stroke with a hand or weapon. 2 sudden shock or misfortune. [origin unknown]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
3. slang
to expose, or inform; “BLOW the gaff,” to inform against a
person.
“‘As for that,’ says Will, ‘I could tell it well enough, if I had
it, but I must not be seen anywhere among my old acquaintances, for
I am BLOWN, and they will all betray me.’”—_History of Colonel
Jack_, 1723.
The expression would seem to have arisen from the belief that a flower
might be blighted if “BLOWN upon” by a foul wind or a corrupted breath.
See the condition of the flowers on a dinner-table by the time the
company rise. In _America_, “to BLOW” is slang for to lie in a boasting
manner, to brag or “gas” unduly.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
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