Meaning trap
blow up
become very angry
to suddenly become extremely angry and start shouting or reacting strongly.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to suddenly become extremely angry and start shouting or reacting strongly.
Another meaning of 'blow up' is 'explode'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
My boss blew up at me when I missed the deadline.
Sometimes, when people are under a lot of stress at work, they might blow up at their colleagues over small mistakes.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He blew up with me over nothing.
Say: He blew up at me over nothing.
You blow up AT someone, not 'with'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Blow up (at someone)' is the natural way to describe a sudden angry outburst; the formal version is flat.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
blow up at someone
- at me
- completely
- over nothing
- just
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- blow up (explode) — Another meaning of 'blow up' is 'explode'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.