box-office bomb
A film that performs very poorly in ticket sales, earning less than the cost of production. After its third box-office bomb in a row, the film studio was forced to close down.
drop a brick
1. To unintentionally say or do something embarrassing, tactless, or indiscreet; to commit some social faux pas or mistake. Primarily heard in UK. I dropped a brick on our first date by ordering veal, only realizing later that he's a staunch animal rights advocate.
2. To announce a particularly surprising, alarming, or upsetting piece of news. An alternative form of "drop a bombshell." Primarily heard in US, South Africa. Mary dropped a brick when she told me she was moving to France next week. I'm about to drop a brick on my parents by telling them that I'm going to quit law school and pursue a career in art.
drop the F-bomb
To use the word "fuck," especially at a particularly inappropriate time or place. I was so nervous and emotionally shaken at my grandfather's funeral that I accidentally dropped an F-bomb during his eulogy. You need to be careful that you don't drop the F-bomb around her parents.
be (the) bomb
To be excellent, extremely entertaining, or of very high quality. This steak I ordered is bomb! I'm not usually a fan of action films, but that one was the bomb!
bomb
1. adjective slang Excellent; extremely entertaining; of very high quality. (Sometimes used as "the bomb.") That steak I had at dinner was bomb! I'm not usually a fan of action films, but that one was the bomb!
2. verb To fail spectacularly or to a great degree. Despite all the media hype, the major summer blockbuster bombed on its opening weekend.
the L-bomb
An expression of romantic love for another, especially when said unexpectedly and/or for the first time. Usually used in the phrase "drop the L-bomb." We'd only been dating for a couple of months when he dropped the L-bomb on me. I was so shocked that all I could think to say back was, "Thank you!"
drop the L-bomb
To say "I love you" or a similar expression of love to a romantic partner, especially unexpectedly and/or for the first time. We'd only been dating for a couple of months when he dropped the L-bomb on me. I was so shocked that all I could think to say back was, "Thank you!"
a (ticking) time bomb
A person, thing, or situation that can at any moment cause much havoc or result in a disastrous outcome. I'm telling you, this dirty money we're using to finance the campaign is a ticking time bomb! If anyone were to investigate how we got it, we'd all go to jail! Jenny's attracted to men who exude an air of danger, and her new boyfriend seems like a time bomb.
smart bomb
A bomb with a guidance system that navigates it to its target. The military adopted the use of smart bombs to reduce collateral damage.
f-bomb
A euphemism for the word "fuck." Usually used with the verb "drop." Please don't drop any f-bombs while babysitting my kids, OK? They repeat everything.
bomb out (of something)
Sl. to flunk out of or fail at something, especially school or a job. She was afraid she would bomb out of school. Her brother bombed out the year before.
bomb someone out
to cause people to flee by bombing their homes and towns. The planes bombed the villagers out. The attack bombed out everyone for miles around.
bomb something out
to destroy a place by bombing. I hope they don't bomb the village out. The planes bombed out the factory.
drop a bomb(shell)
and explode a bombshell; drop a brickFig. to announce shocking or startling news. They really dropped a bombshell when they announced that the mayor would resign. Friday is a good day to drop a bomb like that. It gives the business world the weekend to recover. They must choose their words very carefully when they explode a bombshell like that. They really dropped a brick when they told her the cause of her illness.
go (like) a bomb
(British & Australian informal) to be very successful Judging from the noise they're making, the party must be going like a bomb.
go like a bomb
(British & Australian informal) if a vehicle goes like a bomb, it can move very fast Henry's new sportscar goes like an absolute bomb.
put a bomb under something/somebody
(British & Australian) if you want to put a bomb under someone, you want to make them do things faster I'd like to put a bomb under those solicitors.
See cost a bomb, drop a bombshellcost a bomb
(informal) to be very expensive Strawberries cost a bomb at this time of year.
a smart bomb
a bomb that guides itself by receiving signals from the ground Laser-guided smart bombs were hitting targets only about 60 per cent of the time.