bombshell
(redirected from bombshells)Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus.
blond bombshell
A voluptuous, alluring blond woman. Primarily heard in US. Marilyn Monroe is probably the most famous blond bombshell of all time. Suddenly, a blond bombshell walked in, and every man in the room stopped dead in his tracks.
blonde bombshell
A voluptuous, alluring blonde woman. Primarily heard in UK. Diana Dors was probably the most famous blonde bombshell of all time in Britain. Suddenly, a blonde bombshell walked in, and every man in the room stopped dead in his tracks.
drop a bomb
To reveal something that is very surprising or unexpected. Whoa, you can't just drop a bomb like that and leave—I need details about your new boyfriend! When we got a tip that the newspaper was about to drop a bomb about our candidate, we all wondered what information they could possibly have.
drop a bombshell
To reveal something that is very surprising or unexpected. Whoa, you can't just drop a bombshell like that and leave—I need details about your new boyfriend! When we got a tip that the newspaper was about to drop a bombshell about our candidate, we all wondered what information they could possibly have.
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. 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.
explode a bombshell
To reveal something that is very surprising or unexpected. Whoa, you can't just explode a bombshell like that and leave. I need details about this new boyfriend of yours! When we got a tip that the newspaper was about to explode a bombshell about our candidate, we all wondered what information they could possibly have.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.
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]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
drop a bombshell
COMMON If someone drops a bombshell, they suddenly announce a piece of bad news. Next day the bombshell was dropped on the front pages of the newspapers: the company had gone into voluntary liquidation. My ex-wife is on the phone and she drops a bombshell. Sue, our daughter, is leaving the country.
drop a brick
BRITISHIf you drop a brick, you say something which upsets or offends other people. After his comments on the live TV programme, Mr Freeman was immediately aware that he had dropped a political brick of the worst kind.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
drop a brick
make an indiscreet or embarrassing remark. British informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
drop a ˈbombshell
announce something which is unexpected and usually unpleasant: It was then that he dropped the bombshell — he wasn’t planning to come with us.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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.
drop a bombshell
verbSee drop a brick
drop a bomb
verbSee drop a brick
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
drop a brick
Informal To make a clumsy social error.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
drop a bombshell, to
To announce sensational news. This metaphor dates from World War I and likens the devastation caused by falling bombs to the shock of suddenly receiving unexpected tidings. “The letters do not drop any historical bombshells,” wrote a Manchester Guardian reviewer in 1928. See also bolt from the blue.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer