STORMS BLOW OVER

When we say that a storm has “blown over,” we mean that it has gone or faded away.

 As with the idiom “a storm in a teacup,” we use a storm as an analogy for trouble when we say that a situation will “blow over,” indicating that it will fade away without serious consequences.

 Examples of use:

 “But he predicted many institutions ‘are probably just hoping the furore will blow over.’”

 “If the daily news cycle leaves you wanting to batten down the hatches and wait for it all to blow over, you’re far from alone.”

 (This quote includes yet another storm-related idiom, “batten down the hatches,” which means to prepare for a crisis.)

 “Hopefully this wave of speculation can soon blow over and Neil’s name can stay clear of the gossip columns.”



 The phrase “blow over” also appears in other contexts:

 “As the day moves on, the storm will begin to blow over, and the warnings are due to expire by 3pm.” (The phrase is used literally here to describe a physical storm.)

 “Helen Jones and campaigners suffer blow over Peel Hall” (In this headline, a “blow” symbolises bad news.)

 “Residents are warned to be alert for flying debris, and for high-profile vehicles that could blow over.” (To “blow over” in this context means to fall over due to the force of the wind.)



Photo credit: mrpbps