blow out of the water
Completely surpass expectations
To blow something out of the water is to destroy it utterly or surpass it dramatically.
The phrase evokes naval combat—a ship exploded by cannon fire.
Now it's usually figurative: Their proposal blew the competition out of the water.
Sometimes describes being stunned: The news just blew me out of the water.
Defeat decisively
- crushCompress with force
- thrashBeat violently or defeat utterly
- clobberDefeat or strike decisively
- demolishDestroy completely
annihilate · rout · hammer · drub · wallop · destroy · obliterate · decimate
trounce
Defeat decisively
demolish · annihilate · rout · hammer · drub · wallop · destroy · obliterate · decimate · overwhelm
astound
Shock with wonder
floor · shock · stagger · wow · bowl over · knock out · take aback · blow away · impress · overwhelm
outshine
Exceed in brilliance
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
- outclassExceed in quality
- outperformAchieve superior results
exceed · transcend · overshadow · outstrip · upstage · top · best · outdo · outmatch · put to shame
blow out of the waterdisappoint
Fail to meet expectations
underwhelm · fall flat · bore · fizzle · pale in comparison
blowing, blower, outer, outward, outwardly, water, waters, watered, watering