Mastering ‘Blow up’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “blow up” is a versatile expression with several meanings, making it a valuable addition to your IELTS vocabulary. Let’s explore its various definitions:

1. To explode or cause to explode:
   “The terrorist attack blew up the building.”

2. To inflate or fill with air:
   “We need to blow up these balloons for the party.”

3. To suddenly become very angry:
   “He blew up when he heard the bad news.”

4. To enlarge a photograph:
   “Can you blow up this picture for the presentation?”

5. To suddenly become a big problem or issue:
   “The scandal blew up overnight, dominating headlines.”

Synonyms for “blow up” include detonate, explode, erupt (in anger), inflate, and escalate, depending on the context.

2. Contextual Usage

“Blow up” can be used in various situations, from casual conversations to more formal contexts. Here are some examples:

Informal:

• “Don’t blow up at me; it’s not my fault!”
• “The kids love to blow up balloons for their birthday parties.”

Formal:

• “The company’s stock price blew up after the successful product launch.”
• “Researchers are studying ways to prevent improvised explosive devices from blowing up.”

Blow up phrasal verb usage in different contexts

3. Grammar Analysis

“Blow up” is a separable phrasal verb, which means the object can come between “blow” and “up” in some cases:

• “He blew up the balloon.” (Object after the phrasal verb)
• “He blew the balloon up.” (Object between the two parts)

However, when using pronouns, they must come between “blow” and “up”:

• “He blew it up.” (Correct)
• “He blew up it.” (Incorrect)

In passive voice, “up” stays with “blow”:

• “The building was blown up by terrorists.”

4. Application in IELTS

Speaking:

In the IELTS Speaking test, using “blow up” can demonstrate your vocabulary range and ability to use idiomatic expressions.

Example question: “Describe a time when you or someone you know got very angry.”

Sample answer: “I remember a time when my usually calm father blew up at a reckless driver. We were on our way to an important appointment when someone cut us off dangerously. My father, who rarely loses his temper, suddenly blew up and started shouting. It was shocking to see him so angry, but I understood his reaction given the dangerous situation.”

Writing:

In IELTS Writing, “blow up” can be used effectively in Task 2 essays or Task 1 reports, depending on the topic.

Task 2 example: “Some people believe that strict punishments for driving offenses are the key to reducing traffic accidents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Sample usage: “While harsh penalties may deter some drivers from breaking the law, this approach alone is not enough to prevent accidents. A more comprehensive strategy is needed before the problem of road safety blows up into an unmanageable crisis.”

Remember to use phrasal verbs judiciously in formal writing, as some may be considered too casual for academic contexts.

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Burst out (phr. v.) /bɜːrst aʊt/: To suddenly begin doing something, especially laughing or crying.
   Example: “She burst out laughing when she heard the joke.”

2. Burst out (phr. v.) /bɜːrst aʊt/: To say something suddenly and with force.
   Example: “He couldn’t contain his excitement and burst out, ‘I got the job!'”

3. Flare up (phr. v.) /fleər ʌp/: To suddenly become angry or to suddenly start burning strongly.
   Example: “The argument flared up again when politics was mentioned.”

4. Erupt (v.) /ɪˈrʌpt/: To suddenly explode or break out.
   Example: “The volcano erupted, spewing ash and lava into the air.”

5. Set off (phr. v.) /set ɒf/: To cause something to explode or start working.
   Example: “The loud noise set off the car alarm.”

6. Go off (phr. v.) /ɡəʊ ɒf/: To explode or make a sudden loud noise.
   Example: “The fireworks went off at midnight to celebrate the New Year.”

7. Break out (phr. v.) /breɪk aʊt/: To start suddenly, especially for negative events.
   Example: “A fire broke out in the warehouse late last night.”

8. Kick off (phr. v.) /kɪk ɒf/: To begin or start, often used for events or activities.
   Example: “The festival kicks off with a parade through the city center.”

9. Ignite (v.) /ɪɡˈnaɪt/: To catch fire or cause to catch fire.
   Example: “The spark ignited the fuel, causing a small explosion.”

10. Escalate (v.) /ˈeskəleɪt/: To become or make something become greater or more serious.
    Example: “What started as a minor disagreement quickly escalated into a major conflict.”

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. The protesters __ __ when they heard the government’s decision.
2. Can you __ __ this balloon for me? I’m out of breath.
3. The bomb __ __ near the embassy, causing significant damage.
4. The scandal __ __ overnight, dominating all news channels.
5. He __ __ the photograph to see the details more clearly.
6. The argument __ __ unexpectedly during the family dinner.
7. The fireworks display __ __ at exactly midnight.
8. News of the corporate merger __ __ stock prices.
9. The volcano suddenly __ __, spewing ash into the air.
10. The teacher __ __ when she caught students cheating on the test.

Sentence Transformation

1. The bomb exploded in the city center.
   The bomb __ __ in the city center.

2. He became very angry when he heard the news.
   He __ __ when he heard the news.

3. Can you make this image larger for the presentation?
   Can you __ __ this image for the presentation?

4. The conflict escalated quickly after the misunderstanding.
   The conflict __ __ quickly after the misunderstanding.

5. She suddenly started laughing during the serious meeting.
   She __ __ laughing during the serious meeting.

6. The fire alarm suddenly started ringing in the middle of the night.
   The fire alarm suddenly __ __ in the middle of the night.

7. The protesters began their demonstration outside the parliament building.
   The protesters __ __ their demonstration outside the parliament building.

8. The small argument quickly became a major dispute.
   The small argument quickly __ __ into a major dispute.

9. The new social media platform suddenly became extremely popular.
   The new social media platform suddenly __ __.

10. They need to inflate the life raft before getting into the water.
    They need to __ __ the life raft before getting into the water.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. blew up
2. blow up
3. blew up
4. blew up
5. blew up
6. flared up
7. went off
8. set off
9. erupted
10. blew up

Sentence Transformation:

1. blew up
2. blew up
3. blow up
4. blew up
5. burst out
6. went off
7. kicked off
8. blew up
9. blew up
10. blow up

Explanations:

1. “Blew up” is used to describe an explosion.
2. “Blew up” here means to become very angry suddenly.
3. “Blow up” in this context means to enlarge an image.
4. “Blew up” is used to describe a situation that suddenly became more serious.
5. “Burst out” is used for sudden actions, especially laughing or crying.
6. “Went off” is commonly used for alarms or devices that suddenly start making noise.
7. “Kicked off” means to begin or start an event.
8. “Blew up” here means to escalate or become a bigger issue quickly.
9. “Blew up” in this context means to suddenly become very popular or successful.
10. “Blow up” here means to inflate or fill with air.

7. Memory Tips

To remember the various meanings of “blow up,” try associating each definition with a vivid mental image:

1. Explosion: Imagine a cartoon bomb with a lit fuse about to explode.
2. Inflate: Picture yourself blowing up a big, colorful balloon.
3. Anger: Visualize a person’s face turning red and “blowing up” like a balloon with anger.
4. Enlarge: Think of a small photograph expanding like a balloon being inflated.
5. Escalate: Imagine a small spark growing into a large fire, “blowing up” into a major issue.

You can create a short story linking these images: “A cartoon character tries to blow up a balloon, but it explodes. This makes him so angry that his face blows up like a balloon. To calm down, he looks at a photo, which suddenly blows up to poster size, causing a small spark that blows up into a big fire.”

Visual memory tips for the phrasal verb 'blow up'

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using “blow up” in formal writing without consideration.
   Correction: In academic or formal contexts, use more formal alternatives like “explode,” “inflate,” or “escalate” unless the informal tone is appropriate.

2. Mistake: Incorrectly separating the phrasal verb with pronouns.
   Correction: Always put pronouns between “blow” and “up.” (e.g., “blow it up,” not “blow up it”)

3. Mistake: Confusing “blow up” with “blow out” (to extinguish).
   Correction: Remember that “blow up” relates to expansion or explosion, while “blow out” is about extinguishing.

4. Mistake: Overusing “blow up” in IELTS speaking, making responses sound repetitive.
   Correction: Use a variety of phrasal verbs and expressions to demonstrate range.

5. Mistake: Using “blow up” inappropriately in sensitive contexts.
   Correction: Be mindful of the context, especially when discussing serious topics like terrorism or violence in the IELTS test.

9. Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like “blow up” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS test. Its versatility allows you to express various concepts, from literal explosions to metaphorical escalations of situations. Remember to practice using “blow up” in different contexts, and don’t forget to explore related phrasal verbs to expand your vocabulary further.

As you prepare for your IELTS test, incorporate “blow up” and other phrasal verbs into your speaking and writing practice. This will not only improve your scores but also enhance your overall English proficiency. Keep in mind the various meanings and up in arms with confidence when you encounter opportunities to use them in your IELTS test and beyond.

Remember, language learning is not just about memorizing words; it’s about understanding their usage in context. So, don’t let the pressure of the IELTS test blow up into an unmanageable stress. Stay calm, practice regularly, and you’ll find that mastering phrasal verbs like “blow up” can be an enjoyable part of your language learning journey. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!