9 Grammatical Pitfalls


[blast, blahst] /blæst, blɑst/
a sudden and violent gust of wind:
Wintry blasts chilled us to the marrow.
the blowing of a trumpet, whistle, etc.:
One blast of the siren was enough to clear the street.
a loud, sudden sound or noise:
The radio let out an awful blast before I could turn it off.
a forcible stream of air from the mouth, bellows, or the like.
  1. air forced into a furnace by a blower to increase the rate of combustion.
  2. a jet of steam directed up a smokestack, as of a steam locomotive, to increase draft.
  3. a draft thus increased.
a forceful or explosive throw, hit, etc.:
a blast down the third-base line.
  1. a party or riotously good time:
    Did we have a blast last night!
  2. something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment; thrill; treat:
    My new electronic game is a blast.
a vigorous outburst of criticism; attack.
Mining, Civil Engineering. the charge of dynamite or other explosive used at one firing in blasting operations.
the act of exploding; explosion:
Some say the blast was in the next county.
any pernicious or destructive influence, especially on animals or plants; a blight.
the sudden death of buds, flowers, or young fruit.
verb (used with object)
to make a loud noise on; blow (a trumpet, automobile horn, etc.):
He blasted his horn irritably at every car in his way.
to cause to shrivel or wither; blight.
to affect with any pernicious influence; ruin; destroy:
Failure in the exam blasted her hopes for college. It was an indiscretion that blasted his good reputation.
to break up or dislodge (a tree stump, rock, etc.):
Their explosives were inadequate to blast the granite.
to make, form, open up, etc., by blasting:
to blast a tunnel through a mountain.
to show to be false, unreliable, etc.; discredit:
His facts soundly blasted the new evidence.
Informal. to curse; damn (usually followed by it or an object):
Blast it, there's the phone again! Blast the time, we've got to finish this work.
to censure or criticize vigorously; denounce:
In his campaign speech he really blasts the other party.
to hit or propel with great force:
He blasted a homer that tied the game. They were blasted into outer space.
to shoot:
The terrorists blasted him down.
verb (used without object)
to produce a loud, blaring sound:
The trumpets blasted as the overture began. His voice blasted until the microphone was turned down.
to shoot:
He whipped out his revolver and started blasting.
Slang. to take narcotics.
Verb phrases
blast off,
  1. (of a rocket) to leave a launch pad under its own power.
  2. (of an astronaut) to travel aloft in a rocket.
at full blast, at maximum capacity; at or with full volume or speed:
The factory is going at full blast.
Also, full blast.
Origin of blast
before 1000; 1955-60 for def 7a; Middle English (noun and v.); Old English blǣst (noun) a blowing; akin to Old Norse blāstr, Old High German blāst (derivative of blāsan, cognate with Gothic ufblēsan, Old Norse blāsa). See blow2
Related forms
blaster, noun
blasty, adjective
1. squall, gale, blow, storm. See wind1 . 2. blare, screech. 11. discharge, outburst. 16. annihilate. Unabridged
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British Dictionary definitions for full blast


an explosion, as of dynamite
  1. the rapid movement of air away from the centre of an explosion, combustion of rocket fuel, etc
  2. a wave of overpressure caused by an explosion; shock wave
the charge of explosive used in a single explosion
a sudden strong gust of wind or air
a sudden loud sound, as of a trumpet
a violent verbal outburst, as of criticism
a forcible jet or stream of air, esp one used to intensify the heating effect of a furnace, increase the draught in a steam engine, or break up coal at a coalface
any of several diseases of plants and animals, esp one producing withering in plants
(US, slang) a very enjoyable or thrilling experience: the party was a blast
full blast, at full blast, at maximum speed, volume, etc
(slang) an exclamation of annoyance (esp in phrases such as blast it! and blast him!)
to destroy or blow up with explosives, shells, etc
to make or cause to make a loud harsh noise
(transitive) to remove, open, etc, by an explosion: to blast a hole in a wall
(transitive) to ruin; shatter: the rain blasted our plans for a picnic
to wither or cause to wither; blight or be blighted
to criticize severely
to shoot or shoot at: he blasted the hat off her head, he blasted away at the trees
See also blastoff
Derived Forms
blaster, noun
Word Origin
Old English blǣst, related to Old Norse blāstr
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for full blast



Old English blæst "blowing, breeze, puff of wind," from Proto-Germanic *bles- (cf. Old Norse blastr, Old High German blast "a blowing, blast," German blasen, Gothic blesan "to blow"), from PIE *bhle- "to blow," probably a variant of root *bhel- (2) "to blow, inflate, swell" (see bole).

Meaning "explosion" is from 1630s; that of "noisy party, good time" is from 1953, American English slang. Sense of "strong current of air for iron-smelting" (1690s) led to blast furnace and transferred sense in full blast "the extreme" (1839). Blast was the usual word for "a smoke of tobacco" c.1600.


Old English blæstan "to blow, belch forth," from the root of blast (n.). Since 16c., often "to breathe on balefully." Meaning "to blow up by explosion" is from 1758. Related: Blasted; blasting. Blast off (n.) is attested from 1950.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang definitions & phrases for full blast

full blast


: a full-blast campaign for mayor

adverb phrase

To the limit of capacity; with no restraint; all-out (1839+)



An exclamation of dismay, irritation, frustration, etc; an imprecation • (1630s+)

  1. A blow; sock: a blast in the kisser (1950s+)
  2. In baseball, a long or strong hit, esp a home run (1950s+)
  3. : He figures the opposition's blast won't hurt him (1940s+)
  4. A single dose or portion of a narcotic or other stimulant; belt, fix: Maybe it's a little early in the day for that first blast (1950s+ Narcotics)
  5. thrill; a transport of pleasure; charge, kick: Meeting her was a blast (1960s+)
  6. A noisy and jolly party or other especially exciting occasion; ball (1950s+)
  7. Anything good or admirable; gasser (1970s+)
  1. To hit: She blasted him in the gut (1950s+)
  2. To shoot: They blasted him with a sawed-off shotgun (1920s+)
  3. : So the Babe blasts it right out of there (1950s+)
  4. To attack, esp with strong verbal condemnation: He blasted the Secretary for saying that (1940s+)
  5. To defeat utterly; trounce; clobber (1960s+)
  6. (also blast off) To leave; book, peel out, split: He got in the Porsche and blasted out of there (1930s+)
  7. To take narcotics, esp to smoke marijuana; use: start blasting opium from a water pipe (1930s+ Narcotics)
Related Terms

beer blast, full blast

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Idioms and Phrases with full blast

full blast

Also, at full blast. At full power, with great energy; also, as loud as possible. For example, The committee is working full blast on the plans, or The fanfare featured the trumpets at full blast. This expression transfers the strong currents of air used in furnaces to anything being done at full power. [ Late 1700s ]


In addition to the idiom beginning with blast also see: full blast
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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