blow down

make something fall down because of strong wind

B1

What does "blow sth down" mean?

To blow something down means that the wind or a storm knocks it over or destroys it completely. It describes what happens when a powerful natural force — like a gale, hurricane, or strong wind — causes something to fall or collapse. The force is always wind-based; you would not use this phrase for rain or an earthquake. Both the active form ('the storm blew the fence down') and the passive form ('the fence was blown down') are very common, especially in news reports and everyday conversation about weather damage. Many learners will also recognise the phrase from the fairy tale about the Three Little Pigs: 'I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down.'

Examples

How to use it

subject (wind/storm) + blow down + object

The most common structure, with a wind or weather event as the subject and the damaged thing as the object.

A strong gale blew down several old trees in the park.

subject (wind/storm) + blow + object + down

When the object is a short noun phrase, it can be placed between 'blow' and 'down' — this is very natural and common.

The hurricane blew the shed down within minutes.

subject + blow + pronoun + down

When using a pronoun, it must always go between 'blow' and 'down', never after 'down'.

The fence was already old, so the wind blew it down easily.

object + be blown down (+ by + agent)

The passive form is especially common in news reports and weather updates, often with 'by the wind/storm' added to name the cause.

Several power lines were blown down by last night's storm.

Common Collocations

treefencepower lineschimneyshedscaffolding

Common Mistakes

Using a non-wind force as the cause

'Blow down' is specifically for wind damage. Using it with rain, flooding, or an earthquake sounds unnatural in English.

✗ The heavy rain blew down the fence.
✓ The strong wind blew down the fence.
Wrong pronoun placement

With pronouns, the pronoun must go between 'blow' and 'down'. Placing it after 'down' is incorrect.

✗ The storm blew down it.
✓ The storm blew it down.
Confusing 'blow down' with 'knock down'

'Knock down' is used when something falls because of a direct physical impact — for example, a car hitting a wall. 'Blow down' is only used when wind is the cause.

✗ The lorry blew down the barrier when it crashed.
✓ The lorry knocked down the barrier when it crashed.

Usage

Neutral and widely used in both British and American English. Very common in news reports about storms and in everyday conversation about weather damage. The passive form 'was/were blown down' is especially frequent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'blow down' be used in the passive?

Yes — the passive form is actually very common, especially in news reports and weather updates. Sentences like 'Several trees were blown down by the storm' are completely natural and widely used in both spoken and written English.

Does 'blow down' always need an object?

Yes, this phrasal verb is transitive — it needs an object (the thing that is knocked down). You need to say what the wind destroyed, for example 'the wind blew down the chimney' or 'the chimney was blown down'.

What kinds of things can be blown down?

Typically solid structures or objects that can be toppled — like trees, fences, chimneys, sheds, scaffolding, power lines, and signs. These are all common objects you'll see used with 'blow down' in everyday conversation and news reports.

Does 'blow down' have other meanings?

Yes, the same form can occasionally be used in other contexts, but this wind-damage meaning is by far the most common. A separate section on this page covers any other senses.

Is 'blow down' used in both British and American English?

Yes, it is used in both varieties and sounds natural in either. You'll find it in British and American news reports about storms and hurricanes, as well as in everyday conversation in both countries.

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