The phrase "blows kingdom come" is often used colloquially to refer to an extreme or forceful event. The IPA phonetic transcription of this phrase would look like this: /bləʊz ˈkɪŋdəm kʌm/. The "ow" diphthong in "blows" is pronounced like the "ow" in "cow," while the stress falls on the first syllable. "Kingdom come" is pronounced with the primary stress on the first syllable of "kingdom" and the secondary stress on the first syllable of "come." The "o" in "come" is pronounced like the "o" in "hot."
The idiom "blows kingdom come" is a colloquial expression derived from Christian eschatology, referring to the end of the world or the final judgment. This phrase is often used to describe a very powerful force, event, or action that completely destroys or obliterates something.
The term "blows" in this context implies a forceful gust of wind or explosion, suggesting overwhelming destruction or devastation. "Kingdom come" refers to the biblical concept of the Kingdom of God, which is believed to be a heavenly realm beyond earthly existence. Therefore, when something is said to "blow kingdom come," it means the force is so great that it obliterates everything, as if bringing about the ultimate end of the world.
Figuratively, the usage of "blows kingdom come" extends beyond religious discourse and enters everyday language to describe a cataclysmic event or an act of extreme force. For example, in a sentence, a tornado "blew the entire town kingdom come," signifies that the tornado caused substantial destruction, rendering everything in its path completely ruined.
This phrase often emphasizes the magnitude, intensity, or irreversibility of a given force or event. It conveys the idea of something being completely wiped out, annihilated, or transformed beyond recognition. Hence, "blows kingdom come" is an idiomatic expression commonly employed to vividly portray the extent and impact of devastation or destruction, originating from eschatological beliefs.