Meaning trap
blow up
explode
to burst or break apart suddenly and violently, often with a loud noise.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to burst or break apart suddenly and violently, often with a loud noise.
Another meaning of 'blow up' is 'become very angry'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The old factory blew up after the fire reached the gas tanks.
In my hometown, there was an accident where a gas pipe blew up, and it caused a lot of damage to nearby buildings.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The bomb blew off in the street.
Say: The bomb blew up in the street.
'Blow up' = explode; 'blow off' means something else (e.g. skip / ignore).
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Blow up' is the everyday verb for exploding; 'detonated' is technical/military.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
blow up (explode)
- the building
- a bomb
- into pieces
- accidentally
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- blow up (become very angry) — Another meaning of 'blow up' is 'become very angry'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.