drop a bomb
Deliver devastating news
To drop a bomb is to deliver shocking or unexpected news: She dropped a bomb when she announced her resignation.
The phrase evokes the sudden, explosive impact of surprising information on listeners.
In its literal sense, it describes releasing an explosive from an aircraft, but figurative use dominates everyday speech.
- bombshellShocking sudden revelation
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- shock and aweSwift dominance through firepower
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- spill the beansReveal confidential information
announcement · break the news · reveal · blow the lid off · news · shock · revelation · truth · game changer · nuclear option · destruction · impact · disclosure · explosion · air strike · detonation · secret · payload
drop a bomblet down easy
soften the blow · beat around the bush · tiptoe around · sugarcoat · cushion the blow
drop a bombhold back
Prevent forward movement
withhold · keep secret · keep mum · keep quiet · bite one's tongue
drop, drops, dropped, dropping, dropper, droplet, droplets, bomb, bombs