blow off

present singular third person blows off · participle present blowing off · past blew off · participle past blown off

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see blow, off.

   She blew the dust off the cookbook, revealing its full title.

   2 more examples

   In order to deal with deposits of soot on boiler-tubes while running, especially if poor coal is in use, locomotives are often now provided with blowers on the firebox back-plate which can be made to discharge a jet of high pressure steam towards the firebox tubeplates; this has the effect of loosening and blowing off the soot deposits.

   1944 May and June, “The Why and the Wherefore: Locomotive Soot Blowers”, in Railway Magazine, page 194

   A noteworthy engineering feature on this line was the Owencarrow Viaduct, situated in one of the most windswept portions of the line. On January 30, 1925, a train was blown off the viaduct during a gale, and thereafter trains were prohibited from crossing when the wind exceeded a certain velocity.

   1953 October, H. C. Casserley, “Closure of the Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 703

2. transitiveTo vent, usually, to reduce pressure in a container.

   The radioactivity was released when they blew off steam from the containment vessel.

3. intransitivetransitiveTo let steam escape through a passage provided for the purpose.

   The engine or steamer is blowing off.

   3 more examples

   What's the best way to blow off and clean a boiler?

   From time to time in both directions the engine was blowing off, so there was no shortness of steam.

   1956 October, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 688

   The 1 in 200 climb to Survilliers was surmounted with easy competence, the constant speed being just short of 60 m.p.h., the water level (by design) just under half a glass and the steam pressure approximately 275 lb/sq in, or near the blowing-off point.

   1961 March, 'Balmore', “Driving and firing modern French steam locomotives”, in Trains Illustrated, page 146

4. transitiveTo shirk or disregard (a duty or person).

   I decided to blow off the meeting and leave early.

   1 more example

   We've both been blowing off Peter all day: he's really boring.

   Synonyms: dick around

   1. transitiveTo abandon (someone) as the last stage of a scam.

      Synonyms: dick around

   2. transitiveTo reject or shut down someone's sexual advances or other offers (e.g. a job offer).

      Synonyms: dick around

5. transitiveTo forcibly disconnect something by use of a firearm or explosive device.

   Her leg was blown off by a landmine.

6. transitiveTo force to leave a course.

   The storm blew the ship off course.

   1 more example

   This occurred on September 11, 1880, when a mixed train was blown off the track during a severe gale, and three passengers were killed.

   1950 August, “The Rimutaka Incline and Deviation, New Zealand”, in Railway Magazine, page 547

7. slangtransitiveTo perform oral sex on (someone); to give a blowjob to or suck off (someone).
8. datedslangtransitiveTo buy food or drink for (someone); to treat (someone).

   I'll blow you off to dinner.

   1 more example

   I guess the Duchess goes where it’s cheapest, unless she can get her meal paid for. If you offered to blow her off at the Terrasse she’d turn up fast enough.

   1905, Edith Wharton, chapter 1, in The House of Mirth, book 2

9. slangtransitiveTo use up or spend (something).

   He blew off his inheritance on partying.

10. slangtransitiveTo cause (a body part etc.) to detach by shooting it with a firearm.

    The gangster blew off the sheriff's head.

11. AustraliaUKintransitiveslangSynonym of fart.

    I can't believe I blew off in church.

    Synonyms: badger, break ass, break wind, bust ass, crepitate, curmur, cut one, cut one loose