English Explanatory Dictionary

loose cannon

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A cannon that breaks loose from its moorings on a ship during battle or storm, with the potential to cause serious damage to the ship and her crew.
  2. An uncontrolled or unpredictable person, especially considered liable to cause unintentional or indiscriminate damage.
verb
  1. To behave in a way such as to cause unintentional or indiscriminate damage.

Pronunciation

En-au-loose cannon.ogg

Word forms

loose cannon loose cannons loose cannoning loose cannoned
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