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blast
blast to smithereens
To explode or otherwise destroy something into tiny, fragmentary pieces. Smithereens, first appearing in 1829 as "smiddereens," is likely derived from the Irish word "smidirín" or "smidiríní," meaning fragment. The demolition crew came in and blasted the house to smithereens. The small band of rebels didn't stand a chance; they were blasted to smithereens as soon as the loyalists had them in sight.
a blast from the past
Someone or something that evokes a sense of nostalgia. Bumping into my old high school sweetheart in the grocery store was a real blast from the past. Wow, I used to have this baseball card when I was kid. What a blast from the past!
at full blast
To the maximum level. It's so cold that I had the heat in my car going at full blast.
*at full blast
using full power; as loudly as possible. (*Typically: be on ~; play ~; play something ~; run ~; run something ~.) The neighbors had their televisions on at full blast. The car radio was on at full blast. We couldn't hear what the driver was saying.
blast off
(for some place) 1. [for a space vehicle] to take off and head toward a destination. The rocket blasted off for the moon. Will it blast off on time?
2. Sl. [for someone] to leave for a destination quickly. Ann blasted off for the library so she could study. I've got to blast off. It's late.
blast (something) off (something else)
to remove something from something else with a powerful charge, pressure, or force. They blasted the writing off the wall with a stream of sand. We will have to blast the paint off the wall.
have a blast
Inf. to have a great time; to have a lot of fun. The food was good and we had a blast. Thanks for inviting us to the party.
a blast from the past
something that makes you suddenly remember an earlier time in your life Here's a blast from the past - the 1960s group the Mamas and the Papas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this week.
blast away
1. to be very loud The radio blasted away with sad country and western songs.
2. to strongly criticize or attack with words People with no sense at all blast away on talk radio all day. The prosecutor blasted away at him without letup.
full blast
1. with enthusiasm and energy
When he's here and going full blast, we're all worn out by his energy. Related vocabulary:
go all out 2. with as much power as possible She's been running her air-conditioners full blast for months.
3. as loud as possible Somebody put on a€?The Star Spangled Bannera€? and turned the volume up full blast.
have a blast
to enjoy doing something very much Sky watchers are having a blast keeping track of the comet. They had a blast poking around the farmers' market looking at all the food.
a blast from the past
(informal) something that suddenly and strongly makes you remember a previous time in your life Hearing that record again was a real blast from the past.
See blast to kingdom comeblast/blow somebody/something to kingdom come
(informal) to kill someone or destroy something by using a gun or bomb Fifteen soldiers were blown to kingdom come in the attack. Police discovered a bomb which was large enough to blast the whole town to kingdom come.
blast off
1. Also, blast away. Take off or be launched, especially into space, as in They're scheduled to blast off on Tuesday. This usage originated with the development of powerful rockets, spacecraft, and astronauts, to all of which it was applied. [c. 1950]
2. Depart, clear out, as in This party's over; let's blast off now. [Slang; early 1950s]
3. Become excited or high, especially from using drugs, as in They give parties where people blast off. [Slang; c. 1960]
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]
blast off
v.1. To be launched off the ground. Used of rockets: The astronauts were strapped in their seats and ready to blast off.
2. To launch some rocket from the ground: The space agency needs a new location to blast off its spacecraft. The kids set up their model rockets on the field and blasted them off.
3. To explode or fire something: I blasted off some firecrackers during the celebration. I put some bullets in the gun and blasted a few rounds off to test it.
4. To dislodge or remove something with an explosion: Be careful not to blast your fingers off with that loaded gun! To make room for the new road, the workers blasted off a large rock from the side of the hill.
5. Slang To depart for a destination: We need to blast off right now if we are going to get to the party on time.
beer blast
and beer bust n. a beer-drinking party; a beer binge. Kelly’s having a beer blast at his place, starting tonight. Dad, I think your “beer bust” is called something else now.
blast
1. n. an exciting party. What a blast we had!
2. n. a thrill; a kick. The roller coaster was a blast.
3. tv. to shoot someone with a gun. The speeding car drove by, and somebody tried to blast him with a machine gun.
4. tv. to attack or criticize someone or something verbally. He blasted his brother until we all left in embarrassment.
5. n. a verbal attack. The senator leveled a blast at the administration.
6. n. the kick or rush from taking or injecting a drug. (Drugs.) With a blast like that, somebody’s gonna get hooked fast.
blast off (for somewhere)
in. [for someone] to leave for a destination quickly. I’ve got to blast off. It’s late.
blast off
verbfull blast
mod. as strongly as possible. He honked the horn full blast for a long time.
full blast
At full speed, volume, or capacity: turned the radio up full blast.