bombs
bombs — noun
- bombssingular
- bombsesplural
1. a container filled with material that can explode, designed to cause damage, inj
a container filled with material that can explode, designed to cause damage, injury, or death when set off — for example, a pipe bomb left in a public place or a bomb dropped from a military aircraft.
The police team found a bomb hidden inside a backpack near the station and cleared the area.
collocation: find a bomb
During the war, enemy planes dropped bombs on several factories in the city.
collocation: drop bombs
Vivek heard a loud noise and then saw smoke from where the bomb had gone off.
The bomb squad arrived and safely removed the device before anyone got hurt.
collocation: bomb squad
- drop a bomb
- plant a bomb
- bomb attack
- bomb threat
- bomb shelter
- bomb squad
- set off a bomb
- defuse a bomb
- explosive
broader term covering any substance that can explode, not just a device
- device
more neutral and euphemistic; often used in news reports ('the device failed to go off')
- improvised explosive device (IED)
specifically a home-made bomb; formal and military
Usage Note
The plural form 'bombs' refers to more than one explosive device; the singular 'bomb' is far more common in everyday speech. Common collocations include 'plant a bomb', 'set off a bomb', and 'bomb attack'.
Common Mistakes
2. nuclear weapons considered as a group, especially atom bombs or hydrogen bombs t
nuclear weapons considered as a group, especially atom bombs or hydrogen bombs that countries possess as part of their military power.
Several countries have agreed to reduce the number of nuclear bombs in their arsenals.
collocation: nuclear bombs
The treaty aims to stop the spread of atomic bombs to nations without them.
collocation: atomic bombs
Chidi read a book about the history of the bomb and how it changed politics forever.
fixed phrase: the bomb = nuclear weapons collectively
Many people fear that more countries will try to build the bomb in the coming years.
- nuclear bomb
- atomic bomb
- the bomb
- develop the bomb
- ban the bomb
- nuclear weapons
more formal and precise; the standard term in policy discussions
- the bomb
a fixed expression referring to nuclear weapons as a category
- atomic weapons
slightly dated but still common; emphasizes the fission mechanism
Grammar Patterns
the bomb
the [country]'s bomb program
Usage Note
When referring to nuclear weapons as a general concept, native speakers often use the fixed expression 'the bomb' (singular, definite article), as in 'countries that have the bomb'. The plural 'bombs' is used when counting individual nuclear devices.
Common Mistakes
3. a complete and noticeable failure — for example, a theatre show that the audienc
a complete and noticeable failure — for example, a theatre show that the audience hates, or a business plan that loses all the money invested in it.
The new restaurant was a bomb; it closed after three months because nobody came.
pattern: be a bomb (BrE informal, = fail completely)
Her first comedy show in London went a bomb, and she had to refund all the tickets.
pattern: go a bomb (BrE informal, = flop)
That film was an absolute bomb at the box office, earning almost nothing against its budget.
collocation: absolute bomb / total bomb
His new business idea turned out to be a complete bomb, losing every dollar he had saved.
- a bomb
- go a bomb
- absolute bomb
- total bomb
Grammar Patterns
be a bomb
go (like) a bomb
Usage Note
This sense is primarily British informal. In American English, the opposite meaning exists ('the movie was the bomb' = it was excellent), which can cause confusion. Context is essential to tell the two apart. The American 'the bomb' meaning 'excellent' is slang.
Common Mistakes
4. a very large amount of money, used to say that something is extremely expensive.
a very large amount of money, used to say that something is extremely expensive.
Renovating the old house cost a bomb, but the family loved the result.
fixed phrase: cost a bomb
Yumi paid a bomb for those concert tickets, but she said the show was worth it.
fixed phrase: pay a bomb
The rent in central Tokyo costs an absolute bomb, so Anong moved further from the station.
intensifier: an absolute bomb
A new kitchen like that would cost a bomb, so they decided to wait another year.
- cost a bomb
- pay a bomb
- spend a bomb
- fortune
the closest synonym; 'cost a fortune' is the American equivalent
- arm and a leg
American idiom; 'cost an arm and a leg'
- small fortune
slightly less extreme than 'bomb'
Grammar Patterns
cost a bomb
pay a bomb (for something)
Usage Note
Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'cost a bomb' or 'pay a bomb'. The word 'bomb' here does NOT refer to an actual explosive. Common in British English; American English prefers 'cost a fortune' or 'cost an arm and a leg'.
Common Mistakes
5. in rugby, a type of kick that sends the ball very high into the air so that play
in rugby, a type of kick that sends the ball very high into the air so that players can chase it and try to catch it.
The fly-half sent up a bomb, and two players jumped to catch it as it came down.
collocation: send up a bomb
Vinícius kicked a perfect bomb that gave his team time to run forward and recover the ball.
The full-back caught the bomb cleanly and began a counter-attack up the field.
collocation: catch a bomb
Coach Lee told the players to use more bombs to put pressure on the opposing team.
- send up a bomb
- kick a bomb
- catch a bomb
- high kick
the descriptive term; less colourful but clearer to non-rugby fans
- up-and-under
alternative name for the same kick in rugby
Usage Note
This term is specific to rugby union and rugby league. The bomb is a tactical kick, not a scoring move — the goal is to regain possession after the ball comes down.
6. a hit in baseball that sends the ball beyond the outfield fence and scores a poi
a hit in baseball that sends the ball beyond the outfield fence and scores a point — especially one struck with great force so that it travels a long distance.
With two runners on base, Megan hit a bomb over the centre-field wall and won the game.
collocation: hit a bomb
The crowd cheered when the rookie smashed a bomb into the upper deck of the stadium.
synonym: smash a bomb
Anthony has hit three bombs in the last five games, leading the league in home runs.
The batter crushed a bomb to left field, sending the fans into a frenzy.
synonym: crush a bomb
- hit a bomb
- smash a bomb
- crush a bomb
Grammar Patterns
hit a bomb
Usage Note
In baseball slang, 'bomb' is a vivid synonym for 'home run', especially one hit with power. The standard baseball term is 'home run' or 'homer'; 'bomb' is more informal and dramatic.
7. a pass in American football that travels a great distance downfield, usually thr
a pass in American football that travels a great distance downfield, usually thrown high so a receiver can run underneath it and catch it.
With ten seconds left, the quarterback threw a bomb that the receiver caught at the five-yard line.
collocation: throw a bomb
Adina launched a perfect bomb down the sideline, and the crowd rose to their feet.
synonym: launch a bomb
The coach told the quarterback to try a bomb on the next play, hoping for a quick score.
collocation: try a bomb
Fans held their breath as the deep bomb sailed through the air toward the end zone.
collocation: deep bomb
- throw a bomb
- launch a bomb
- deep bomb
Grammar Patterns
throw a bomb
launch a bomb
Usage Note
In American football commentary, 'bomb' specifically means a long pass thrown far downfield. It does NOT refer to a running play or a short pass. Also called a 'deep bomb' or 'Hail Mary' when thrown desperately at the end of a game.
bombs — verb
- bombspresent simple I / you / we / they
- bombses3rd person singular
- bombsing-ing form
- bombsedpast simple
1. to attack a place by dropping bombs on it from an aircraft or firing missiles at
to attack a place by dropping bombs on it from an aircraft or firing missiles at it — for example, when a country's air force bombs a military base or a bridge during a conflict.
The air force bombed the enemy supply routes all night to cut off their resources.
transitive: bomb + target
The old port was heavily bombed during the war, and few buildings are still standing.
passive: [place] was bombed
Léa watched a film about how the city was bombed in 1944 and rebuilt afterwards.
Satellite images showed that the enemy airbase had been bombed three times that week.
- bomb a city
- bomb a target
- bomb a bridge
- heavily bombed
- repeatedly bombed
Grammar Patterns
bomb + target (city, building, area)
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive voice ('the city was bombed'). The active voice ('they bombed the bridge') is also common in military reporting. This sense is the core meaning of the verb 'bomb' and is found in all varieties of English.
Common Mistakes
2. to destroy a building, vehicle, or other structure by placing an explosive devic
to destroy a building, vehicle, or other structure by placing an explosive device inside it and detonating it.
The gang tried to bomb the rival club's warehouse using explosives in a delivery truck.
transitive: bomb + building
Security officers stopped the group before they could bomb the government office.
The old bridge was bombed during the fighting, cutting off the only road to the town.
passive: [structure] was bombed
Vivek saw a report about a courthouse that criminals had bombed last winter.
- bomb a building
- bomb a vehicle
- bomb an office
Grammar Patterns
bomb + building/structure
Usage Note
This sense differs from sense 1 in that the destruction comes from a bomb placed inside or near the target, rather than from bombs dropped from the air. Often appears in crime reporting and terrorism contexts.
3. to travel at very high speed in a vehicle, often with a sense of daring or excit
to travel at very high speed in a vehicle, often with a sense of daring or excitement — for example, bombing down a quiet country road in a sports car.
Iris was bombing along the motorway at high speed when the police spotted her.
pattern: bomb along + road
A group of motorcyclists came bombing through the village, waking everyone up.
pattern: bomb through + place
Esme bombed down the hill on her bicycle, laughing as the wind blew through her hair.
pattern: bomb down + slope/hill
A red sports car bombed past the school just as the children were crossing the road.
- bomb along
- bomb down
- bomb through
- bomb past
Grammar Patterns
bomb along/down/through [road/street]
bomb + direction phrase
Usage Note
This sense is intransitive and always takes a directional phrase (down, along, through, past). It is informal and primarily British. In American English, 'bomb' in this sense is much rarer; a common equivalent is 'barrel down' or 'tear down'.
Common Mistakes
4. to fail badly or perform very poorly — for example, a student who bombs an impor
to fail badly or perform very poorly — for example, a student who bombs an important exam, or a comedian who bombs on stage because the audience does not laugh.
Chidi studied all week but still bombed the physics test because it was much harder than expected.
transitive: bomb + test/exam
The stand-up comedian bombed during the first show and changed his material for the second one.
intransitive: [performer] bombs
Megan bombed her driving test the first time but passed easily on the second try.
The actor bombed in his first Broadway role and did not get another chance for years.
- bomb a test
- bomb an exam
- bomb on stage
- bomb a performance
- completely bomb
Grammar Patterns
bomb (a test/exam)
bomb (a performance)
[someone] bombs
Usage Note
Primarily American English. In British English, 'flop' or 'fail' is more common. When used transitively, the direct object is usually a test, exam, or interview. When used intransitively, the subject is typically a performer or performance.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four verbs describe attacking a target, but they differ in method and scope. 'Bomb' is the most specific: it means dropping or detonating explosive devices on a target, typically from aircraft ('the air force bombed the bridge'). 'Bombard' is broader and more formal; it can mean any continuous, heavy attack — with bombs, shells, or even questions ('journalists bombarded the minister with questions'). 'Shell' is limited to artillery fire from the ground ('the enemy shelled the village from across the river'). 'Strike' is the most general military term; it covers any targeted attack, including airstrikes, missile launches, or drone attacks ('the navy struck the coastal radar station'). In everyday use, 'bomb' is the most common and direct word for describing air attacks, while 'strike' is preferred in official military statements.
Common collocations
Phrases
- drop a bomb
- plant a bomb
- bomb attack
- bomb threat
- bomb shelter
- bomb squad
Etymology
The word 'bomb' entered English in the late 16th century from French 'bombe', which came from Italian 'bomba' (meaning 'a bomb, a booming sound'), ultimately from Latin 'bombus' ('a booming noise') and Greek 'bombos' ('a deep, hollow sound'). The original connection was to the loud sound of an explosion, not the device itself. Over time, the meaning shifted from the sound to the explosive projectile, and later to any explosive device. The verb 'to bomb' emerged in the early 20th century with the rise of aerial warfare.
First known use
1688
1688, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1