Apparently – the use of both looks the same to me. But there has to be a difference that I am not able to figure out.
My understanding is that when a tyre bursts, it makes a loud sound.
But I am not sure that applies to 'blow' because the dictionary definition of blow (a tyre) by Macmillan is
- if a tyre blows, or if you blow it, it bursts (so it does not necessarily makes a loud sound, does it?)
Could you please explain if there are differences in their usage or they could be used interchangeably ?
Best Answer
Generally speaking, there is no difference between your tire (Am. E) or tyre (Br. E) bursting or blowing. The primary feature that renders a tire burst or blown is that there is obvious and severe damage to the tire that renders it uninflatable and unusable; this is often in the form of large strips of tire being strewn along the roadside.
(This is opposed to a tire that is merely flat, which may have a small leak somewhere that causes it to deflate steadily. A flat tire can be reinflated (though it may go flat again relatively quickly) and patched, and can generally be driven on (although that is not recommended!).)