Phrase guide

blow off steam

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To vent; to talk or take action (especially in a ranting or unrestrained way) so as to relieve stress.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Don't take it personally when he shouts like that. He's just blowing off steam.
  • I told her she could call me and talk any time she wanted to blow off steam.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: blow off one's steam, let off steam

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To do something to get rid of excess energy or worry, especially exercise or diversion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Relief valves released the excess pressure in a steam engine to prevent the boiler from exploding.

Across languages

Translations

21 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: desfogar-se — to vent to relieve stress
  • Dutch: stoom afblazen — to vent to relieve stress
  • Finnish: puhista — to vent to relieve stress
  • French: souffler — to vent to relieve stress
  • French: décompresser — to vent to relieve stress
  • French: se défouler — to vent to relieve stress
  • German: Dampf ablassen — to vent to relieve stress
  • Hebrew: קיטר — to vent to relieve stress
  • Hebrew: קִטֵּר (qitér) — to vent to relieve stress
  • Icelandic: rasa út — to vent to relieve stress
  • Icelandic: fá útrás — to vent to relieve stress
  • Polish: wyszaleć się — to vent to relieve stress
  • Polish: wyszumieć się — to vent to relieve stress
  • Portuguese: desabafar — to vent to relieve stress
  • Russian: спусти́ть пар (spustítʹ par) — to vent to relieve stress
  • Spanish: desahogarse — to vent to relieve stress
  • Spanish: desfogarse — to vent to relieve stress
  • Welsh: bwrw cylchau — to vent to relieve stress
  • Finnish: purkaa paineita — to get rid of excess energy
  • French: se défouler — to get rid of excess energy
  • Welsh: gollwng stêm — to get rid of excess energy