- Explode or cause to explode. 2. Lose one's temper. 3. Inflate with air. 4. Enlarge, especially a photograph. 5. Exaggerate importance. 6. Collapse or fail.
Examples:
- I'm sorry I blew up at you.
Origin: sense 1 late 1500s; senses 2–6 various dates 1400s–1930s