blow off steam

Relief valves released the excess pressure in a steam engine to prevent the boiler from exploding.

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blow off steam (third-person singular simple present blows off steam, present participle blowing off steam, simple past blew off steam, past participle blown off steam)

1. (idiomatic) To vent; to talk or take action (especially in a ranting or unrestrained way) so as to relieve stress.

   Don't take it personally when he shouts like that. He's just blowing off steam.

   I told her she could call me and talk any time she wanted to blow off steam.

2. (idiomatic) To do something to get rid of excess energy.

• let off steam

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