The word "blows away" is spelled with two syllables in IPA phonetic transcription: /bləʊz əˈweɪ/. The first syllable is pronounced with the vowel sound "oh" as in "go" and the second syllable is pronounced with the diphthong "ay" as in "day". The letter "s" in "blows" represents the voiced /z/ sound, while the letter "w" in "away" represents the voiceless /w/ sound. Overall, the spelling accurately reflects the pronunciation of this common English phrase.
The phrase "blows away" is an idiomatic expression typically used to convey the idea of being greatly impressed or amazed by something. It describes the sensation of being overwhelmed, astonished, or deeply moved by a particular experience, event, person, or object. The term originates from the forceful and powerful movement of wind, which can forcefully displace objects or even push them entirely out of sight. In this sense, when something "blows away" an individual, it signifies that it has left them astounded or utterly captivated by its exceptional qualities, causing them to lose their composure momentarily.
This idiom can be applied in a variety of scenarios, such as when someone witnesses a magnificent performance that surpasses all their expectations, or when they encounter an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon. It is often used to emphasize an unexpected or extraordinary quality possessed by someone or something, leading to a strong emotional reaction. For example, a powerful movie that evokes intense emotions, an exceptionally talented musician whose performance leaves the audience in awe, or a breathtaking view that leaves spectators speechless can all be described as "blowing away" individuals.
Furthermore, the expression can also be used metaphorically, indicating that something has surpassed or outperformed another thing by a large margin. In this context, the superiority of one entity becomes so evident that it figuratively displaces or defeats its competition with ease and efficiency.
The etymology of the phrase "blows away" can be traced back to its constituent words, "blow" and "away".
The word "blow" originates from the Old English word "blawan", which means "to blow air or wind", and can be further traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "blēaną". Over time, the word "blow" has come to be associated with various meanings, including exhaling forcefully, causing air movement, or creating strong currents of wind.
The word "away" comes from the Middle English word "aweg", which is derived from the Old English word "onweg", meaning "from a place, off, or apart". It can be traced further back to the Proto-Germanic word "awegō". "Away" is typically used to indicate movement or removal from a particular location or state.