cherry bomb
5
7.5
- noun
- /ˈtʃɛri bɑm/
- US
:
petardo
- The children were thrilled to see the cherry bomb go off, as its loud noise echoed through the park.
- light the cherry bomb
- cherry bomb in the mailbox
- put a cherry bomb
Examples
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With enough cherry bombs, we could blow up the whole stinking creamery.
Fiction book (2000) -
You know, the last time I put a cherry bomb under a garbage can the garbage can didn't make it.
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I found the cherry bomb.
Fiction book (1994) -
You used to light cherry bombs as a kid, right?
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You used to throw cherry bombs in the trash cans.
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Sir, can you tell me where I can get cherry bombs and m-80s?
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Who's letting cherry bombs off out here?
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Sheriff, ain't you ever put a cherry bomb under a garbage can?
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When the cherry bomb exploded, it created a loud bang and a shower of sparks.
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He carefully lit the cherry bomb before tossing it into the air, watching it burst with a bright light.
Synonyms
51
2.6
A small explosive paper tube that makes a loud bang when you light it
An explosive shell that makes a high, fast sound and then a loud bang
A large firework that makes a very loud explosion
How Powerful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The constituents 'cherry' (small, red fruit/color) and 'bomb' (an explosive device) combine compositionally to suggest a small red explosive — i.e., a firecracker. This noun+noun compounding follows productive English patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Cherry bomb gets its name from the little firework's look: it is round and red like a cherry, yet it is a small bomb that makes a very loud bang. So the name helps you remember it means 'a small but powerful firecracker'.