/ɪk'spləʊd; ɪk`splod/
v
1 [I, Tn] (cause sth to) burst with a loud noise; blow up （使某物）爆炸; 炸开
*When the boiler exploded many people were injured. 因锅炉爆炸, 许多人受了伤.
* The firework exploded in his hand. 那个爆竹在他手里响了.
* explode a bomb 使一颗炸弹爆炸. Cf 参看 implode.
2 [I, Ipr]
(a) (of feelings) burst out suddenly （指感情）迸发
*At last his anger exploded. 他终于大发雷霆.
(b) ~ (with/in/into sth) (of people) show sudden violent emotion （指人）冲动, 激动
*He exploded with rage, fury, jealousy, etc. 他勃然大怒、暴跳如雷、妒火中烧等.
* She exploded into loud laughter. 她突然大笑起来.
3 [I] (of a population, etc) increase suddenly or quickly （指人口等）突然或迅速增加
*the exploding world population 激增的世界人口.
4 [Tn] destroy (a theory, an idea, etc) by showing it to be false 破除, 推翻（一理论、观念等）（揭示其谬误）
*explode a superstition 破除迷信
* The myth that eating carrots improves your eyesight was exploded years ago. 认为吃胡萝卜可以改善视力的海外奇谈, 多年前已祛除殆尽.

v

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1【burst】
2【increase suddenly】
3【strong feelings】
4【become dangerous】
5 explode the myth
6【make a loud noise】

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[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin;Origin: explodere 'to drive off the stage by clapping', from plaudere 'to clap']
【BURST】 [I and T]
to burst, or to make something burst, into small pieces, usually with a loud noise and in a way that causes damage
→explosion
　The device was thrown at an army patrol but failed to explode.
　Far sooner than anyone thought possible, the Russians exploded an atomic bomb.
【INCREASE SUDDENLY】 [I]
to suddenly increase greatly in number, amount, or degree
= rocket
→explosion
　Florida's population exploded after World War II.
【STRONG FEELINGS】 [I]
to suddenly express strong feelings such as anger
→explosion
　Paul exploded. 'What has it got to do with you?' he yelled.
explode with
　She exploded with grief and anger.
　He told a joke which made Hank explode with laughter.
explode into
　He exploded into a screaming, kicking rage.
【BECOME DANGEROUS】 [I]
if a situation explodes, it is suddenly no longer controlled, and is often violent
= blow up
　Riots may explode at any time.
explode into
　The continued tension could explode into more violence.
explode the myth
to prove that something that is believed by many people is actually wrong or not true
　The programme sets out to explode the myth that some delicate tropical fish are impossible to keep.
【MAKE A LOUD NOISE】 [I]
to make a very loud noise
→explosion
　A clap of thunder exploded overhead.