Blow Up – Meaning and Examples
Imagine your friend says, “Her phone blew up after she posted the dance video.” He doesn’t mean it exploded—he means messages came flooding in. The phrase blow up is a lively way to talk about explosions, sudden anger, or instant fame, and you’ll hear it in movies, group chats, and news headlines.
What Does “Blow Up” Mean?
Blow up means:
1. to explode.
2. to suddenly become very angry.
3. to become extremely popular very fast.
Think of a balloon: add too much air and it blows up.
It’s not always literal—often it’s about fast, strong change.
When to Use It
- Real explosions: fireworks, tires, or movie scenes.
- Anger: someone shouts after bad news.
- Social media: posts, songs, or stars that go viral.
The idiom is informal; perfect for casual talk, texts, or social media.
Example Sentences
- The fireworks blew up over the beach at midnight.
- My mom blew up when she saw the messy kitchen.
- His funny tweet blew up and got 500k retweets.
- Be careful—the airbed could blow up if you pump too much air.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Did you see Maya’s painting online?”
Jamie: “Yeah, it blew up overnight—she already has job offers!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t add “to” after the phrase.
- ❌ Don’t say: “The photo blew up to on Instagram.”
- ✅ Do say: “The photo blew up on Instagram.”
Practice Tip
Tonight, tell a friend about one hot post: “That reel blew up fast!” Hear how natural and current your English sounds.
Final Note
Now you can use blow up for explosions, anger, or viral fame. Drop it into your next conversation and watch your English pop!