to drop a bombshell
4
5.5
- idiom
:
soltar una bomba
- The politician dropped a bombshell by announcing his retirement just days before the election.
- dropped a bombshell by announcing
- then dropped a bombshell
- just dropped a bombshell
So I'll drop a bombshell and I'll say, you know what, here is something to really think about.
- So I'll drop a bombshell and I'll say, you know what, here is something to really think about.
- In the midst of a deep conversation, I jokingly ask when he's going to officially ask me out, and he drops a bombshell.
Examples
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During the press conference, the director dropped a bombshell that the sequel would be released next year.
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Then one day, Drake drops a bombshell.
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So I'll drop a bombshell and I'll say, you know what, here is something to really think about.
-
At the conclusion of his summary, he dropped a bombshell.
Fiction book (1994) -
After dropping a bombshell like that, you owe me.
Fiction book (1994) -
During her pregnancy with my sister in 1988, my mother dropped a bombshell: not only would I soon cease being an only child, but I was to become a middle child.
Blog text (22) -
In that same year, as the crisis deepened, one of India's most eminent archaeologists dropped a bombshell.
Academic text (2004) -
In 1993, the Leavenworth Design Review Screening Committee, an ad hoc subcommittee of the City Planning Commission, dropped a bombshell: Leavenworth was not really Bavarian!
Academic text (2000) -
Hubby dropped a bombshell about wanting to leave me because he can't cope with how long this injury recovery is going, etc., wah-wah for him, and I can't leave or kick him out because
Blog text (31) -
Jaw dropped a bombshell as the campaign formally got started when he accused President Lee Teng-hui of a "conspiracy" with the DPP to accomplish Taiwan's independence before Hong Kong's return to the PRC in July 1997.
Academic text (1995)
Synonyms
∞
2.3
Show something that was hidden or secret
342
4.1
Reveal hidden facts or bad actions to people
243
3.5
Reveal secret facts to the public
109
4.1
To make something known for the first time
20
3.7
To show facts that were hidden before
8
6.8
Reveal secret information that shocks people
8
3.7
Make secret information known to the public
4
7.1
To reveal information that was previously hidden
3
6.2
To tell people shocking news suddenly
1
6.5
To make a secret suddenly become known
Make a shocking announcement that surprises people
Antonyms
How Shocking
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to suddenly reveal surprising or shocking information' follows directly from combining 'drop' (to release or let fall / to mention) with 'bombshell' (a shocking revelation). Although 'bombshell' is itself a metaphorical noun, if a B1 learner knows that figurative noun sense the verb + noun composition is predictable and immediately interpretable.
Etymology
Drop a bombshell comes from the image of literally dropping a heavy bombshell that hits the ground and makes a sudden, shocking explosion. So when someone drops a bombshell today, they 'suddenly reveal surprising or shocking information' that leaves people shocked or speechless.