- To have a very enjoyable, fun, and exciting time.
- Often used to describe a past experience or to wish someone enjoyment for a future event.
Explanation
Origin
- Emerged in American English around the mid-20th century.
- Blast likely refers to an explosion or sudden burst, metaphorically representing a burst of fun, energy, or excitement.
- It implies a high-energy, intensely enjoyable experience.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Have a ball.
- Paint the town red. (Go out celebrating wildly)
- Let the good times roll. (Enjoy the fun)
- It was dope. / It was sick. / It slapped. (Modern slang indicating something was very good/enjoyable)
Milder/Standard:
- I hope you enjoy it.
- Have a pleasant experience.
- It sounds like you enjoyed yourself.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Perfectly fine for casual conversations, asking about weekends/vacations, or wishing friends/colleagues well before an event.
- Might be slightly too informal for very formal settings or written communications where I hope you have an enjoyable time might be preferred.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The literal meaning of blast (explosion) is very different. Learners need to understand this is a fixed idiom meaning great fun. The positive context usually makes this clear.
Examples
- The wedding reception was amazing! Everyone had a blast.
- Have a blast on your ski trip!
- The kids had a blast at the amusement park.
Dialogue
Person A: So, how was your birthday party?
Person B: It was fantastic! Seriously, we had such a blast. The band was great, everyone was dancing.
Person A: That sounds amazing! I'm sorry I missed it.
Person B: Yeah, it was a good time!
Person C: Alright, I'm heading off to the festival now!
Person D: Cool! Have a blast!
Person C: Will do!
Social Media Examples
- Instagram Caption: Had an absolute blast celebrating @Friend's birthday last night! 🎉 #partytime #goodfriends #fun
- Tweet: Heading to the beach for the weekend! Planning to have a blast! ☀️🌊 #vacation #beachlife
- Comment: User A: Photos from my trip! User B: Looks like you had a blast!
Response Patterns
When wished Have a blast!:
- Thanks, I will!
- I hope so! / I plan to!
- You too! (If appropriate)
When someone says they had a blast:
- That's awesome! / Sounds great!
- I'm glad you had fun!
- Oh yeah? Tell me more about it!
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone says they had a blast:
- Listeners often ask for details: What was the best part? / What did you guys do?
- Express positive reaction: Sounds like so much fun!
When wishing someone Have a blast!:
- The interaction often ends there, or the recipient might express excitement about the upcoming event.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's used to describe an experience or wish someone well. Asking Did you have a blast? could start a conversation about an event.
Intonation
- Usually said with enthusiasm, positivity, and energy.
- Stress falls strongly on blast.
- We had a BLAST! / Have a BLAST!
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used, particularly by Gen X and Millennials.
- Gen Z understands it but might also use newer slang like it was lit, it was epic, or it slapped to express similar high enjoyment.
Regional Variations
- Very common in American English. Also widely understood and used in other English-speaking countries.