drop a bombshell
Reveal shocking news
To drop a bombshell is to deliver shocking or unexpected news: She dropped a bombshell at dinner—she's moving to Japan.
The metaphor treats surprising information as an explosive device, disrupting the calm of a conversation or situation.
The news itself can be called a bombshell: The resignation was a bombshell.
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- revealMake something visible
- curveballPitch with spin-induced arc
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
- leaked documentUnofficially released confidential material
revelation · fallout · disclosure · spill the beans · gossip · whiplash · blindside · shock · backlash · confession · family secret · press conference · announcement · astonishment · unexpected · game changer · surprise · plot twist
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
drop a bombshelllet down easy
soften the blow · telegraph · give a heads up · state the obvious · cushion the blow
drop a bombshellreassure
Ease someone's doubts
put at ease · comfort · calm nerves · soothe
drop, drops, dropped, dropping, dropper, droplet, bomb, bombs, bombed