blow over
يمر
بهطور تحتاللفظی: To be moved or pushed away by a gust of wind
Use it when you believe time will fix a social problem or a temporary conflict.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- A problem or argument disappearing naturally over time.
- Waiting for people to forget about a mistake or scandal.
- Used when you decide not to take immediate action.
معنی
This phrase describes a difficult situation, like an argument or a scandal, that eventually goes away or is forgotten without you having to do anything about it.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6After a small argument with a friend
Don't call him yet; just let the argument blow over first.
Don't call him yet; just let the argument pass first.
A PR crisis at a large company
The CEO decided to stay quiet and wait for the scandal to blow over.
The CEO decided to stay quiet and wait for the scandal to pass.
Texting a sibling who is in trouble with parents
Stay at my place for a few days until things blow over at home.
Stay at my place for a few days until things calm down at home.
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase originates from 16th-century English descriptions of weather. It reflects a stoic cultural trait in the UK and US where 'keeping your head down' during a crisis is seen as a valid strategy for survival.
The 'Wait' Collocation
This phrase is almost always used with the verb `wait`. You 'wait for it to blow over'. It emphasizes that you are taking no action.
Don't use it for people
A person cannot `blow over` unless they are literally falling in the wind. Only situations, arguments, or storms `blow over`.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- A problem or argument disappearing naturally over time.
- Waiting for people to forget about a mistake or scandal.
- Used when you decide not to take immediate action.
What It Means
Imagine a heavy storm hitting your house. You can't stop the wind. You just have to wait inside. Eventually, the wind stops. The storm blows over. In life, we use this for social storms. It means a problem disappears naturally over time. People stop being angry. The news cycle moves on. It’s about patience.
How To Use It
You usually use it with the word it. For example, "Let's wait for it to blow over." You can also use it with specific problems. "The scandal will blow over soon." It is an intransitive phrasal verb. This means the problem is the one doing the action. You don't blow over a problem; the problem blows over on its own.
When To Use It
Use it when someone is angry at you. If you forgot your partner's birthday, you might stay quiet. You hope the anger blows over. Use it at work if a project fails. If everyone is stressed, wait a week. The tension will blow over. It’s perfect for temporary drama. If it’s not a life-ending disaster, it will likely blow over.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for permanent problems. If your car is stolen, it won't blow over. You need a police report! Don't use it for things that require an apology. If you tell a friend it will blow over instead of saying sorry, they might get angrier. It implies you are waiting rather than acting. Avoid it in very tragic situations like a death or a major illness.
Cultural Background
This comes from nautical or weather-related roots. Sailors would wait for a gale to pass. In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong belief in the "news cycle." We believe people have short memories. We often choose to stay low and wait for the public to find something else to talk about. It reflects a "this too shall pass" philosophy.
Common Variations
You might hear people say weather the storm. That is the active version. While blow over is about the problem leaving, weather the storm is about you surviving it. Another variation is wait for the dust to settle. Both mean waiting for peace to return after a chaotic moment.
نکات کاربردی
This is a very safe, neutral phrase. It is most commonly used in the future tense ('It will blow over') or with 'waiting' ('Wait for it to blow over'). Avoid using it for serious crimes or permanent losses.
The 'Wait' Collocation
This phrase is almost always used with the verb `wait`. You 'wait for it to blow over'. It emphasizes that you are taking no action.
Don't use it for people
A person cannot `blow over` unless they are literally falling in the wind. Only situations, arguments, or storms `blow over`.
The 'Teflon' Effect
In US politics, some politicians are called 'Teflon' because scandals always `blow over` for them and never stick!
مثالها
6Don't call him yet; just let the argument blow over first.
Don't call him yet; just let the argument pass first.
Suggesting that time will cool down the emotions.
The CEO decided to stay quiet and wait for the scandal to blow over.
The CEO decided to stay quiet and wait for the scandal to pass.
Used in a professional context regarding public opinion.
Stay at my place for a few days until things blow over at home.
Stay at my place for a few days until things calm down at home.
Very common in family drama contexts.
I'll wear a hat for a month until this haircut blows over.
I'll wear a hat for a month until this haircut is forgotten.
Using a serious phrase for a silly situation.
The pain didn't just blow over; I had to work through it.
The pain didn't just go away; I had to work through it.
Used in the negative to show that some things need effort.
Most political rumors blow over within forty-eight hours.
Most political rumors disappear within forty-eight hours.
General observation about the speed of news.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about a workplace mistake.
If we don't mention the error to the boss, maybe it will just ___.
`Blow over` means the problem will disappear. `Blow up` would mean the boss gets very angry!
Complete the sentence regarding a social disagreement.
I'm sure your sister's anger will ___ in a day or two.
`Blow over` is the specific collocation used for emotions or arguments cooling down.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'Blow Over'
Talking to friends about drama.
It'll blow over, don't worry.
Standard workplace or news usage.
The controversy blew over quickly.
Legal or academic writing.
The dispute was expected to blow over.
When to expect things to 'Blow Over'
Celebrity Scandals
A bad tweet from 2012.
Office Gossip
Who ate the last donut.
Family Fights
Arguing over the TV remote.
Minor Mistakes
Sending an email with a typo.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNot exactly. Finish implies a clear end. Blow over implies that the problem faded away or people stopped caring about it.
Yes, but only literally. 'The fence blew over in the wind' means it fell down. In a social context, it only applies to abstract problems.
It can be. If they are very upset, saying it will blow over might sound like you are dismissing their feelings. Use it carefully!
The past tense is blew over. For example: 'The storm blew over by morning' or 'The drama blew over after she apologized.'
No. The argument is the subject. You must say 'The argument will blow over.' It happens by itself.
Yes, very. Managers often use it when discussing PR issues or internal team conflicts that they don't want to escalate.
They are opposites! If a situation blows up, it gets much worse and explodes. If it blows over, it disappears quietly.
Yes, that is the original meaning. 'We waited for the rain to blow over before we went outside.'
No, it is a standard phrasal verb. It is safe to use in the office, with friends, or in writing.
Not necessarily. It just means the trouble or tension is gone. The root cause might still be there, but people aren't fighting anymore.
عبارات مرتبط
Die down
To become less noisy, powerful, or active.
Pass over
To ignore something or for a feeling to move past.
Fizzle out
To end in a weak or disappointing way after a strong start.
Weather the storm
To survive a difficult period without giving up.
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