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Glite Dictionary
to go supernova

to go supernova

3 7.7
Explode like a star and become suddenly very intense or famous
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡoʊ ˌsuːpərˈnoʊvə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : volverse supernova
  • I will be able to write a single piece of code and deliver it to almost every device. I can see this being the case for televisions in the next 3 years as well. With Stratus and TV + Flash, things are going to go supernova for the industry.
  • star going supernova

And they live an incredibly long time until the sun is about to go supernova.

Examples

  • When the new technology was revealed, excitement went supernova, capturing the attention of the entire industry.

  • Now that the whole damn thing has gone supernova, it's going to happen and it's gonna happen tonight.

    Safe (2012)

  • Petraeus's star went supernova after he dramatically resigned following the revelation of an affair with biographer Paula Broadwell.

    Blog text (11)

  • The scientist explained that if this star goes supernova, it will become incredibly bright and visible from Earth.

  • During the meeting, tensions rose until the discussion went supernova, exploding into a heated argument among everyone present.

Synonyms

to explode
vsto go supernova
579 2.8

To burst suddenly and violently, making a loud noise and flying pieces

is used more widely to mean sudden extreme intensity or dramatic change
to blow up
vsto go supernova
534 2.7

To cause something to explode violently

is used more broadly for sudden extreme intensity or dramatic transformation
to erupt
vsto go supernova
123 4.2

To suddenly start in a strong or violent way, often showing strong feeling

is used to mean sudden extreme intensity or dramatic change instead
to skyrocket
vsto go supernova
52 4.1

To rise very quickly to a high level

is focused on sudden intense dramatic change rather than only numeric rise
to surge
vsto go supernova
41 3.7

To rise suddenly and strongly in amount or number

is more about a sudden violent dramatic change rather than steady growth
to catch fire
vsto go supernova
32 2.6

To start burning suddenly

is used more broadly for intense dramatic change beyond literal burning
to rocket
vsto go supernova
11 4.1

To increase very quickly

is used for sudden dramatic intensity rather than only fast numeric increase
to burst forth
vsto go supernova
5 5.4

Suddenly start to happen with a lot of energy

is about sudden intense drama rather than just rapid appearance
to go ballistic
vsto go supernova
3 5.9

Rise very quickly, for example prices or demand

is used for extreme sudden drama or intensity rather than only numeric rise
to rocket up
vsto go supernova
2 4.4

Increase very quickly to a much higher level

is more about sudden dramatic change rather than a rapid numeric climb
to flame up
vsto go supernova
1 4.6

To suddenly start burning strongly or become much more intense

is used for very strong sudden change across literal or figurative situations

Antonyms

to calm down
  • Informal
594 1.4

To become less angry, excited, or upset

to diminish
201 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

How Intense

to go supernova
  • Specialized
3 7.7
to explode
579 2.8
to erupt
123 4.2
to flare up
23 4.7

Surface Forms

go supernova infinitive
went supernova past
gone supernova past participle
going supernova present participle
goes supernova third person singular

Morphology

go + supernova

The meaning 'to explode/become a supernova' (and by extension 'to become extremely intense') follows directly from combining 'go' (change to a state) with 'supernova' (an exploding star), so the sense is transparently compositional. The 'go + state' pattern is common in English and cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The phrase go supernova comes from the image of a star that suddenly explodes and shines very brightly, and supernova is the name for that exploding star. So when a person, event, or band goes supernova, it 'suddenly becomes very intense, dramatic, or very popular'.