dangerously uncontrollable person.
Definition of loose cannon : a dangerously uncontrollable person or thing.
What is the origin of the phrase loose cannon?
The metaphor dates back to the time when wooden warships used to carry cannons, which were tied down to prevent them from shifting around as the ship moved. These cannons were big and heavy, and one coming loose would be very dangerous (mostly due to smashing into people and things, as opposed to exploding).
What is another word for loose cannon?
What is another word for loose cannon?
hellion | rascal |
---|---|
incendiary | inciter |
punk | instigator |
inflamer | rowdy |
heel | recreant |
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.
How do you use loose cannon in a sentence?
He was a loose cannon and could not be risked in front of the press. I don’t think he’s just a loose cannon, sometimes he really makes sense. The candidate turned out to be a loose cannon, and most of the voters could not place their trust on him. He was considered to be a loose cannon due to his volatile temper.
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. Victor Hugo’s celebrated loose cannon.”
What is the synonym of lawless?
(also anarchical), disorderly, lawbreaking, unruly.
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.
What is the root word of eccentric?
Eccentric comes to us through Middle English from the Medieval Latin word eccentricus, but it is ultimately derived from a combination of the Greek words ex, meaning “out of,” and kentron, meaning “center.” The original meaning of eccentric in English was “not having the same center” (as in “eccentric spheres”).
What does as good as your word mean?
to do everything that you promise someone you will: He said he’d call every day and he was as good as his word. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Loyal, faithful & dependable.
How do you explain canon?
Cannon is most frequently found used in the sense of “a large gun,” and can be traced to the Old Italian word cannone, which means “large tube.” Canon, however, comes from the Greek word kanōn, meaning “rule.” Although canon has a variety of meanings, it is most often found in the senses of “a rule or law of a church,”
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 does it mean when someone is unhinged?
Definition of unhinged
: highly disturbed, unstable, or distraught attacked by an unhinged extremist Somewhere along the way, her pursuit of a hot guy turned into unhinged obsession. —
What is an outlaw?
Definition of outlaw
(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a person excluded from the benefit or protection of the law. 2a : a lawless person or a fugitive from the law. b : a person or organization under a ban or restriction. c : one that is unconventional or rebellious.
What is lawless person?
(1 John 3:4) A lawless person is “not restrained or controlled by law.”
What is the antonym of flailing?
What is the opposite of flail?
defend | guard |
---|---|
deflect | repel |
counter | rebuff |
resist | fend off |
hold off |
What is a mercurial man?
Mercurial describes someone whose mood or behavior is changeable and unpredictable, or someone who is clever, lively, and quick.
What do you call someone who is unreliable?
capricious, deceptive, dubious, false, fickle, inaccurate, irresponsible, treacherous, tricky, uncertain, unsound, unstable, untrustworthy, undependable, deceitful, delusive, disreputable, erroneous, fake, fallible.
What is it called when something happens unexpectedly?
unforeseen, unanticipated, unpredicted, not bargained for, unlooked for, unhoped for, out of the blue, without warning, without notice. chance, fortuitous, unplanned, serendipitous, adventitious.
What is a eccentric woman?
The most complimentary thing you can hope to be called if you are a woman who doesn’t conform to societal expectations is the E-word: eccentric. While the idea of eccentricity is nebulous, it is an important barometer of society and women’s place within it.
Is eccentric the same as weird?
An eccentric makes behaviour, style and language choices which are deliberately outside the sphere of ‘normal’ behaviour, etc. Someone described as weird is also unconventional, but is in addition disturbing, perhaps because there is something unnatural in their demeanour.