to blow out
7
8.1
- phrasal verb
- /bloʊ aʊt/
- Specialized
:
reventar
- If the pressure gets too high, the gas well might blow out and cause an explosion.
- blew out windows
- blew out a wall
- tire blew out
Examples
-
- The well is blowing out.
-
The damaged BOP could not contain the gas and oil blowing out of the well.
Blog text (17) -
It's required (by regulation) any time a well blows out and needs to be permanently closed.
Blog text (17) -
On June 3, 1979, the 2-mile-deep exploratory well, IXTOC I, blew out in the Bahia de Campeche, 600 miles south of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico.
Blog text (17) -
The oil well suddenly blow out, sending a gusher of crude oil into the air.
-
After years of drilling, the crew was amazed when the well blew out unexpectedly.
Synonyms
∞
3.5
To break suddenly because of pressure or too much electricity
579
2.8
To burst suddenly and violently, making a loud noise and flying pieces
534
2.7
To cause something to explode violently
192
6.5
Cause something like a bomb or firework to explode suddenly and violently
56
4.0
To suddenly throw out lava, ash, or rocks from a volcano
15
5.9
To force out large amounts of something like smoke or words
9
3.7
To flow out quickly and forcefully in a strong stream
To flow out in large amounts, like tears or blood
Antonyms
How Forceful
579
2.8
56
4.0
- Specialized
7
8.1
26
3.2
212
1.0
82
2.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'to erupt forcefully' is directly derivable from 'blow' (to expel or move with force) combined with 'out' (outward/completely), so the image of something bursting or being expelled outward is compositional. This motion/force + particle pattern is common in English (e.g. 'blew out a tyre', 'blew out a candle') and is likely recoverable by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
Blow out for wells comes from the picture of below-ground pressure forcing oil or gas up like a wild fountain, as if the well had been blown out. That's why it means 'to erupt' and release oil or gas without control.