blast
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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.
See also: blast, smithereens
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.
blast away
1. To be extremely loud. If grandma's TV is blasting away, gently remind her to put in her hearing aids.
2. To vehemently criticize someone or something. The senator's disgusted constituents blasted away at him during the town hall meeting.
blast off
1. To shoot upward from the ground, as of a rocket. The rocket blasted off successfully and is now headed for the moon. My kids love blasting off toy rockets in the backyard and seeing how high they'll go.
2. To ignite an exploding device, such as fireworks. Our poor dog is hiding under the bed because our neighbors celebrate the Fourth of July by blasting off tons of fireworks.
3. To use an explosion to destroy or remove something. After the emergency crew blasted off some rocks, they were able to free the trapped hikers from the cave.
4. To amputate by means of an explosion. I'm really worried my fool husband is going to blast off a hand while playing with those fireworks!
5. To depart very quickly. The robbers blasted off when they heard the approaching sirens.
6. To strike with a lot of force in order to remove something, as with a pressure washer or sandblaster. In this usage, a noun can be used between "blast" and "off." The sidewalk looks so clean this morning! I guess someone from the township blasted all the stains off of it. We can blast off that graffiti with the pressure washer.
blast (someone or something) to kingdom come
1. slang To kill someone with gunfire or an explosive device. "Kingdom come," a phrase taken from the Lord's Prayer, refers to heaven or the afterlife. The robber waved his gun and shouted, "Get back, or I'll blast you to kingdom come!"
2. slang To destroy something with an explosion. If we blast these rocks to kingdom come, we should be able to rescue the trapped hikers from the cave.
have a blast
To have a very fun or exciting time (doing something). A: "So, how was the ski trip?" B: "We had a blast!" The kids are having a blast running around the beach all day.
full blast
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.
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]
a blast from the past
INFORMALA blast from the past is something that reminds you of an earlier time. Originally presented between 1988 and 1993, these movies are still funny and a true blast from the past. Cricket legend Allan Border gave fans a blast from the past when played for the Australian team against England in Hobart yesterday.
full blast
COMMON If something is on or happening full blast, it is on or happening as loudly or as much as possible. Adam turned the heater on full blast. The radio was playing full blast. Note: People often also say that something is on or happening at full blast. Playing Coldplay albums at full blast is hardly going to help now, is it?
a blast from the past
something powerfully nostalgic, especially an old pop song. informal 1997 Time Out N.Y. Tonight's act is a tribute to Curtis Mayfield , featuring three blasts from the past: The Impressions…The Stylistics and The Dramatics.
a ˌblast from the ˈpast
(informal) a person or thing from your past that you see, hear, meet, etc. again in the present: This song is real blast from the past.(at) full ˈblast
with great noise, power, speed, etc: Tom had his radio on at full blast — it was deafening. ♢ The heating was on full blast all day.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.