bomb (redirected from bombs)

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.

See also: out

bomb something out

to destroy a place by bombing. I hope they don't bomb the village out. The planes bombed out the factory.

See also: out

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.

See also: out

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: drop

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[blow/bomb/wipe etc.] something/swh off the map

to destroy something completely, especially with bombs At least eight Spanish warships were blown off the map.

See also: blow, map

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.

See also: smart

cost a bomb  (informal)

to be very expensive Strawberries cost a bomb at this time of year.

See also: cost

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

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.

See also: like

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 bombshell

See also: put