Meaning trap
blow up
escalate rapidly
to become much more serious or intense very quickly, especially in reference to a situation, argument, or conflict.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to become much more serious or intense very quickly, especially in reference to a situation, argument, or conflict.
'blow up' also has the more basic meaning 'explode'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
What started as a minor disagreement quickly blew up into a major conflict between the two departments.
If negotiations are not handled carefully, a small misunderstanding can easily blow up into a significant diplomatic crisis.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The scandal blew up into the news.
Say: The scandal blew up overnight. / The story blew up in the news.
Here 'blow up' = suddenly become big or serious; don't add 'into the news'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Blow up' captures a situation exploding in scale fast; the formal paraphrase is heavy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
blow up (situation)
- the row
- the scandal
- overnight
- out of nowhere
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- blow up (explode) — 'blow up' also has the more basic meaning 'explode'; this is the advanced sense.