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blow the whistle on

blow the whis·tle on
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [bloh stressed th ee hwis-uh l, wis- on, awn]
    • /bloʊ stressed ði ˈʰwɪs əl, ˈwɪs- ɒn, ɔn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [bloh stressed th ee hwis-uh l, wis- on, awn]
    • /bloʊ stressed ði ˈʰwɪs əl, ˈwɪs- ɒn, ɔn/

Definitions of blow the whistle on words

  • verb without object blow the whistle on to make a clear musical sound, a series of such sounds, or a high-pitched, warbling sound by the forcible expulsion of the breath through a small opening formed by contracting the lips, or through the teeth, with the aid of the tongue. 1
  • verb without object blow the whistle on to make such a sound or series of sounds otherwise, as by blowing on some device. 1
  • verb without object blow the whistle on to emit similar sounds from the mouth, as birds do. 1
  • verb without object blow the whistle on (of a device) to produce a similar sound when actuated by steam or the like: This teakettle whistles when it boils. 1
  • verb without object blow the whistle on to move, go, pass, etc., with a whistling or whizzing sound, as a bullet or the wind. 1
  • verb with object blow the whistle on to produce by whistling: to whistle a tune. 1
See all 15 definitions of blow the whistle on

Information block about the term

Origin of blow the whistle on

First appearance:

before 950
One of the 4% oldest English words
before 950; (v.) Middle English whistlen, Old English hwistlian; akin to Old Norse hvīsla to whistle, hviskra to whisper; see whine; (noun) Middle English; Old English hwistle instrument, akin to the v.

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Blow the whistle on

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Blow the whistle on

blow the whistle on popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 94% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

blow the whistle on usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for blow the whistle on

verb blow the whistle on

  • criticize — If you criticize someone or something, you express your disapproval of them by saying what you think is wrong with them.
  • attribute — If you attribute something to an event or situation, you think that it was caused by that event or situation.
  • denounce — If you denounce a person or an action, you criticize them severely and publicly because you feel strongly that they are wrong or evil.
  • chide — If you chide someone, you speak to them angrily because they have done something wicked or foolish.
  • charge — If you charge someone an amount of money, you ask them to pay that amount for something that you have sold to them or done for them.
All 83 Synonyms of blow the whistle on

Antonyms for blow the whistle on

verb blow the whistle on

  • compliment — A compliment is a polite remark that you say to someone to show that you like their appearance, appreciate their qualities, or approve of what they have done.
  • laud — to praise; extol.
  • praise — the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.
  • absolve — If a report or investigation absolves someone from blame or responsibility, it formally states that he or she is not guilty or is not to blame.
  • sanction — authoritative permission or approval, as for an action.
All 41 Antonyms of blow the whistle on

See also

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