Meaning of "blow up"

[Alena]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #165 "Phrasal Verbs (A to B)", question 7

No one at the office expected him to lose his temper and ......... the way he did.

(a) blow away
(b) blow over
(c) blow up

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #165 "Phrasal Verbs (A to B)", answer 7

No one at the office expected him to lose his temper and blow up the way he did.

Correct answer: (c) blow up

Your answer was: incorrect
No one at the office expected him to lose his temper and blow away the way he did.
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In my dictionary I have two meanings " blow up''- to curse and to get a miff, what is correct? If I understand the sentance right the verb curse is much better here. Am I right?

Alena

[Yankee]

Hi Alena

When someone blows up, they don't necessarily curse, but because there is a very sudden outburst of anger, the person's words are usually loud and angry.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Alan]

Hi,

Remember also, Alena that 'blow up' can mean 'explode' as of a bomb and of course if you transfer the meaning to the way a person reacts, you can see that it means behave in a violent way.

A
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