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Glite Dictionary
to drop the f-bomb

to drop the f-bomb

9.9
Say the rude word 'fuck', often in a situation where it surprises or offends people
  • idiom
  • Offensive
translation icon : soltar una palabrota
  • It's surprising to hear him drop the f-bomb in such a formal setting.

And you know, I never dropped the F bomb, but here we go.

Examples

  • And if when you begin to look for it, it's stunning in how many negotiations somebody drops the F bomb in the negotiation.

  • It's the FS stage where they drop the F bomb all the time and they're all the cool kid.

  • And you know, I never dropped the F bomb, but here we go.

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  • And if when you begin to look for it, it's stunning in how many negotiations somebody drops the F bomb in the negotiation.

  • It's the FS stage where they drop the F bomb all the time and they're all the cool kid.

  • During the interview, she unexpectedly dropped the f-bomb, leaving everyone in shock.

  • He tends to drop the f-bomb at family gatherings, which often makes the atmosphere tense.

Synonyms

to swear
vsto drop the f-bomb
  • Offensive
253 4.3

To use rude or offensive words, often when angry

focuses on a single shocking expletive rather than broad profanity use
to curse
vsto drop the f-bomb
  • Offensive
192 4.1

To say bad words in anger

is about using that one shocking word where it surprises people
to cuss
vsto drop the f-bomb
  • NSFW
30 8.1

To say swear words when angry or frustrated

is specifically the surprising use of that strong word rather than general swearing
to cuss at
vsto drop the f-bomb
  • Offensive
5 8.1

To say rude words to someone or something

is not always directed at someone and highlights using that specific word unexpectedly
to eff
vsto drop the f-bomb
  • Offensive
3 9.9

To say strong swear words like 'fuck' when angry

is the same idea but used where the word is surprising or inappropriate
to drop an atomic F-bomb
vsto drop the f-bomb
  • Offensive
9.7

To use the F-word to shock people

is the sudden use of that specific word in inappropriate moments
to let out a curse
vsto drop the f-bomb
  • Offensive
6.8

To say a bad word when you feel angry or hurt

focuses on using the specific word often when it shocks or offends

Antonyms

to refrain
87 4.2

Choose not to do something you want to do

How Offensive

to drop the f-bomb
  • Offensive
9.9
to swear
  • Offensive
253 4.3

Surface Forms

drop the f-bomb infinitive
dropped the f-bomb past
dropped the f-bomb past participle
dropping the f-bomb present participle
drops the f-bomb third person singular

Morphology

drop + the + f-bomb

The verb 'drop' (to release/insert into conversation) plus 'bomb' (metaphorical force) and the letter 'f' give a partial clue that this means to unleash a strong, shocking word; however understanding that 'f-bomb' specifically refers to the taboo expletive requires cultural/slang knowledge and the euphemistic use of 'f'. This makes the expression partially predictable but not fully derivable by an average B1 learner who only knows the literal constituents.

Etymology

The idiom drop the f-bomb comes from the image of a loud, shocking thing being dropped into a conversation: the f-bomb stands for the strong 'F-word' and drop means to let it fall into your speech. So, the phrase means 'to say the F-word', often where it is surprising or not appropriate.