Idiom
loose cannon
Meanings
A person who is unpredictable and likely to cause problems because they act without thinking or following rules.
Definition
A loose cannon is a person who acts unpredictably and may cause trouble for others.
A loose cannon is someone who is hard to control and behaves in an unpredictable way. Their actions can create problems for a group, especially in stressful situations. The phrase is often used at work, in politics, or on a team when one person might ruin a plan.
Examples
- Everyone avoided giving him press interviews because he’s a loose cannon.
- The coach benched her after she proved to be a loose cannon during the game.
- In a crisis, the last thing you need is a loose cannon on your team.
- They worried the negotiator was a loose cannon and might insult the other side.
- He’s talented, but his temper makes him a loose cannon.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use loose cannon for an object that is physically loose, but it usually describes an unpredictable person.
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