Language: en
Meaning: (transitive,literally)To remove something by blowing on it.Sheblewthe dustoffthe cookbook, revealing its full title.1944May and June, “The Why and the Wherefore: Locomotive Soot Blowers”, inRailway Magazine, page194: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 andblowing offthe soot deposits.1953October, H. C. Casserley, “Closure of the Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway”, inRailway Magazine, page703: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 wasblown offthe viaduct during a gale, and thereafter trains were prohibited from crossing when the wind exceeded a certain velocity.; (transitive)Tovent, usually, to reduce pressure in a container.The radioactivity was released when theyblew offsteam from the containment vessel.; (intransitive)To let steam escape through a passage provided for the purpose.The engine or steamer isblowing off.1956October, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, inRailway Magazine, page688:From time to time in both directions the engine wasblowing off, so there was no shortness of steam.1961March, 'Balmore', “Driving and firing modern French steam locomotives”, inTrains Illustrated, page146: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 theblowing-offpoint.; (intransitive,euphemistic,UK,Australia)Synonym offart.Synonyms:seeThesaurus:flatulatePlease avoidblowing offwhile we're in church.(Can we add anexamplefor this sense?); ; (idiomatic)Toshirkordisregard(a duty or person).Synonym:dick around(vulgar)I decided toblow offthe meeting and leave early.We've both beenblowing offPeter all day: he's really boring.(transitive)To abandon (someone) as the last stage of ascam.(transitive)To reject orshut downsomeone's sexual advances or other offers (e.g. a job offer).; (transitive)To forcibly disconnect something by use of a firearm or explosive device.Her leg wasblown offby a landmine.; To force to leave a course.The stormblewthe shipoffcourse.1950August, “The Rimutaka Incline and Deviation, New Zealand”, inRailway Magazine, page547:This occurred on September 11, 1880, when a mixed train wasblown offthe track during a severe gale, and three passengers were killed.; (transitive,slang)To performoral sexon (someone); to give ablowjobto orsuck off(someone).; (intransitive,slang,dated)To buy food or drink for (someone); to treat (someone).I'llblowyouoffto dinner.1905,Edith Wharton, chapter 1, inThe House of Mirth, book 2:I guess the Duchess goes where it’s cheapest, unless she can get her meal paid for. If you offered toblowheroffat theTerrasseshe’d turn up fast enough.; (transitive,slang)Touse uporspend(something).Heblew offhis inheritance on partying.
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