The phrase “let’s blow this popsicle stand” means to exit or leave a particular place. It can be used in informal situations such as a dinner with friends or a sports game with your family members.
This phrase is a relatively knew idiom that was only introduced to modern English in the 1960’s. However, it’s origin dates back to an old 20th century phrase that used “the bunch” or “the joint” instead of “popsicle stand”.
In this post, we’ll cover the meaning of the popular idiom “let’s blow this popsicle stand”, how to use it in a sentence, and common synonyms you can use instead.
What Is The Meaning Of “Lets Blow This Popsicle Stand”?
The phrase “Let’s blow this popsicle stand” is an idiom that means to leave a place or situation that is dull, uninteresting, or undesirable. It is a slang expression that is used to express desire to leave somewhere that is no longer interesting place to be. This idiom does not literally mean to explode popsicle stands.
It is typically used in informal conversations or writing among friends in casual settings. Here are a few different situations when “let’s blow this popsicle stand” could be used.
- A group of people are at a party that’s not very enjoyable and they want to leave for a better activity
- Attending a tedious meeting
- Attending a boring movie in the theaters
What Is The Origin Of “Lets Blow This Popsicle Stand”?
The origin of the phrase “Let’s blow this popsicle stand” can be traced back to a recent updating of an old slang expression. The idiom is a modern variation of the earlier phrase “Let’s blow this joint,” which emerged in American English during the mid-20th century. This phrase was also used in very similar situations to refer to an informal place like a bar or club.
This newer version adds a touch of humor and creativity to the original idiom. Although it maintains the same meaning, it now uses the terms popsicle stand instead of “joint” or “bunch”. Just like we saw in our post about the definition of Say Less, many informal phrases have unique origins.
How Do You Use The Phrase “Lets Blow This Popsicle Stand”?
The phrase “Let’s blow this popsicle stand” is only used in informal situations to express a desire to leave an uninteresting place. It has a playful and lighthearted tone compared to “let’s leave now.”
This phrase is appropriate to use in situations such as those listed below.
- Parties
- Sports Games
- Casual Dinners
The phrase works effectively to convey a sense of eagerness to move on to a more enjoyable or engaging activity, making it a suitable choice for casual and light-hearted conversations among friends or peers. Just like we learned in our post about the meaning of fishing in the dark, there is a time and place to use specific phrases. Know when to use informal phrases in your writing.
Synonyms For “Lets Blow This Popsicle Stand”
Here is a list of 7 synonyms that can be used instead of “let’s blow this popsicle stand”.
- Let’s get out of here
- Time to hit the road
- Let’s make a quick exit
- Let’s make our escape
- Let’s bounce
- Let’s skedaddle
- Let’s split this joint
Popularity Analysis
The idiom “let’s blow this popsicle stand” is very popular in modern culture. It first gained pop-culture notoriety in the 1980’s and has become increasing popular since. Although it cannot be used in formal writing contexts it is commonly used in casual situations. This is very similar to the popularity of the phrase “catch you on the flip side” as well!
When Is It Not Appropriate To Use?
The phrase “Let’s blow this popsicle stand” should not be used in formal contexts. This informal and colloquial expression would come across overly casual or even disrespectful in formal settings. Do not use this phrase in situations such as professional meetings, academic presentations, or business writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Idioms are used in writing to add color, creativity, and cultural flavor to the language, making it more engaging and expressive. They have meaning beyond the literal interpretation of the words.
The opposite of let’s blow this popsicle stand is “Let’s stick around for a while.” This phrase indicates a desire to remain in the current place or situation rather than leaving for something else.
The Bottom Line
By now you should be an expert on the phrase “let’s blow this popsicle stand”. This common idiom is used to express one’s own desire to leave a place that is no longer interesting. It does not mean to blow up or explode a literal popsicle stand or popsicle stand. If you need more help with colloquial grammar rules like this, consider using our tool for grammar checking to make things easier!
