a dangerously uncontrollable person or thing.
A loose cannon is defined as “a dangerously uncontrollable person or thing.” It is a phrase that comes up often during election cycles, as candidates try to paint each other as rash and impulsive decision-makers.
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What is another word for loose cannon?
In this page you can discover 3 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for loose-cannon, like: powder-keg, time bomb and unpredictable person.
How do you use loose cannon in a sentence?
someone who behaves in an uncontrolled or unexpected way and is likely to cause problems for other people: He’s seen as something of a loose cannon by other team members. I don’t think we can take a risk on a loose cannon like him running our country. The eldest son was seen as the loose cannon in the family.
Is it good to be a loose cannon?
As you can imagine, a loose cannon rolling around could do serious damage to a ship and her crew. We can say the same about a person who is a “loose cannon.” Loose cannons, both the guns and people, are difficult to control. Their unpredictable behavior can cause problems for them and others.
Who coined the phrase loose cannon?
Henry Kingsley picked up this reference in his novel Number Seventeen, 1875, in which he made the first use of the term ‘loose cannon’ in English: “At once, of course, the ship was in the trough of the sea, a more fearfully dangerous engine of destruction than Mr.
What is the synonym of rogue?
mischief. miscreant. monstrosity. ne’er-do-well. outlaw.
What is the synonym of unpredictable?
erratic, fickle, uncertain, unreliable, unstable, capricious, chance, chancy, dicey, doubtful, fluctuating, fluky, iffy, incalculable, inconstant, random, touch and go, touchy, unforeseeable, up for grabs.
The phrase ‘Loose Cannon’ is used to indicate that a person or thing is unpredictable and liable to cause damage if not kept in check.
What is a loose cannon personality?
(idiomatic, by extension) An uncontrolled or unpredictable person who causes damage to their own faction, political party, etc. Jack is considered a loose cannon due to his volatile personality and his track record of being unable to maintain his composure.
Why are some people loose cannons?
A gun not properly secured could break loose either from the force of recoil or from the jostling of the vessel in choppy waters, presenting a hazard to sailors. It’s this loose cannon that President Theodore Roosevelt was probably thinking of when he borrowed the word to describe not a political opponent, but himself.
How do you deal with a loose cannon?
Quick Tips for Handling Loose Cannons!
- Never interrupt.
- Demonstrate good listening skills and empathic body language.
- Don’t take it personally.
- Be courteous.
- Do not gloss over.
- Take control of the situation.
- Pay attention to your communication style.
- Use humor when appropriate.
What does can of worms mean?
Definition of open a can of worms
: to create a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn’t want to open a can of worms.
What does Glass cannon mean?
glass cannon (plural glass cannons) (role-playing games, board games, video games) A character or unit with strong offensive power but weak defensive capabilities.
What is the meaning of loose change?
Definition of loose change
: coins that a person is carrying He had a few dollars in loose change in his pockets.
What makes a man rogue?
1 : a dishonest or worthless person : scoundrel. 2 : a mischievous person : scamp. 3 : vagrant, tramp. 4 : a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave. 5 : an individual exhibiting a chance and usually inferior biological variation.
What does she’s gone rogue mean?
When going rogue was first used it had a fairly specific meaning of ‘behaving in an erratic or dangerous fashion. ‘ The expression today is more likely to be used to indicate that someone is displaying some degree of independence or failing to follow an expected script.
What is the meaning of laid the rogue by the heels?
lay by the heels
To put in fetters or shackles; imprison.
What is a capricious person?
capricious. / (kəˈprɪʃəs) / adjective. characterized by or liable to sudden unpredictable changes in attitude or behaviour; impulsive; fickle.
What is the word for someone who switches sides?
Some common synonyms of capricious are fickle, inconstant, mercurial, and unstable.
What is a mercurial man?
If you describe someone as mercurial, you mean that they frequently change their mind or mood without warning. [literary]his mercurial temperament. Synonyms: capricious, volatile, unpredictable, erratic More Synonyms of mercurial.
What is the difference between lose and loose?
Loose and lose: These two words cause a lot of confusion, so it’s well worth spending a few minutes to understand the difference between the two. Lose is a verb that means “to fail to win, to misplace.” Loose is an adjective that means “not tight.” Learn more grammar here.