bomb

A weapon that explodes and causes damage or kills people.

• A bomb exploded near the bridge.
• The planes dropped bombs on the city.
• Police found a bomb inside the building.

Similar words: explosive device

Common phrases: drop a bomb, bomb attack, bomb disposal

Something, especially a film or show, that fails badly.

• The movie was a bomb.
• Their expensive new show proved a commercial bomb.
• Critics predicted another box office bomb.

Similar words: flop, failure

Opposites: hit

Common phrases: box office bomb, commercial bomb, a total bomb

A bag or balloon filled with water or another substance, made to burst when thrown.

• They threw water bombs in the garden.
• A paint bomb burst against the wall.
• The flour bombs covered everyone in white powder.

Common phrases: water bomb, paint bomb, flour bomb

An amount of explosive material prepared to go off, for example to break rock.

• Workers placed a bomb in the rock.
• The quarry’s bombs broke the stone apart.
• A long fuse was attached to each bomb.

Similar words: explosive charge

Common phrases: blasting bomb, set a bomb

To attack a place using weapons that explode.

• They bombed the bridge.
• Enemy planes were bombing the city.
• The village was bombed during the war.

Similar words: bombard

Common phrases: bomb a city, bomb a bridge

To do very badly in a test or course.

• I bombed the test.
• She bombed her final exam last week.
• Will I bomb the course if I miss this assignment?

Similar words: fail, flunk

Opposites: pass

Common phrases: bomb a test, bomb an exam, bomb a course

To fail very badly, especially by getting a poor reaction from an audience or customers.

• His joke bombed.
• The new movie bombed at the box office.
• Our latest product has bombed despite the advertising.

Similar words: flop, fail

Opposites: succeed

Common phrases: bomb on stage, bomb at something, bomb an interview, bomb an audition

To travel or move very quickly.

• The car bombed past us.
• We bombed down the hill on our bikes.
• He was bombing along the motorway.

How to use it: bomb along/down something (We bombed down the hill on our bikes.)

Similar words: race, speed

Common phrases: bomb down something, bomb along something, bomb past someone