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bombshell

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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.

See also: brick, drop

drop a bomb(shell)

 and explode a bombshell; drop a brick

Fig. 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.

See also: bomb, drop

drop a bombshell

  (British, American & Australian) also drop a bomb (American)

to suddenly tell someone a piece of news that upsets them very much My sister dropped a bombshell by announcing she was leaving her job. Her husband dropped a bomb over dinner. 'I'm seeing another woman,' he said.

See also: bombshell, drop

drop a bombshell

Make an unexpected or shattering announcement. For example, Bill dropped a bombshell when he said he was quitting. This expression, which alludes to the destruction caused by a falling bomb, dates from World War I.

See also: bombshell, drop

drop a brick

Also, drop a clanger. Say something indiscreet, commit a social gaffe. For example, John dropped a brick when he called her by his ex-wife's name. [Slang; 1920s]

See also: brick, drop

bomb(shell)

n. a stunning piece of news that is dropped without warning. (see also bomb.) I am still recovering from your bombshell of last evening.

drop a brick

and drop a bomb(shell)

tv. to reveal startling information. Britney came in and dropped a brick that scared us all. She dropped a bombshell when she told us she was married again.

See also: brick, drop

drop a bombshell

verb

See drop a brick

See also: bombshell, drop

drop a bomb

verb

See drop a brick

See also: bomb, drop

drop a brick

Informal

To make a clumsy social error.

See also: brick, drop