flash-bang

American  

[flash-bang] / ˈflæʃˌbæŋ /

noun

1. Also called flash-bang grenade.  Also called flash grenade,.  a type of grenade that explodes with a loud noise and a dazzling flash of light, used to distract or momentarily disorient people without injuring them.

   He used a flash-bang from his own utility belt to temporarily blind his pursuers.

   The group is concerned that gear like flash-bang grenades and shock cuffs are leading to more aggressive policing.

2. a dazzling flash of light accompanied by a loud noise.

   The thick smoke mingled with the occasional flash-bang of a surplus grenade.

3. attention-grabbing, thrilling, or impressive character; glitz; showiness.

   Grounded in real-world issues, the stories examined the seamier side of life often ignored in the flash-bang of other superhero comics.

---

adjective

1. relating to or characterized by a combination of bright light and loud noise.

   An intense hail started, followed by extremely close, flash-bang lightning.

2. catching the attention in an impressive or thrilling way; showy.

   The flash-bang, hair-trigger excitement of the movie’s early scenes progressively loses impact as the stumbling saga unfolds.

   Not all sports injuries are of a flash-bang type—some are cumulative, built up over months or even years.

Etymology

Origin of flash-bang

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

Vera’s order bars the department from using less-lethal munitions and other crowd-control tools such chemical irritants and flash-bang grenades “against journalists who are not posing a threat of imminent harm to an officer or another person.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles raids also come on the heels of several recent enforcement actions in the Southland — including an incident where ICE agents deployed flash-bang grenades during operations at two San Diego restaurants, and a raid at an underground nightclub in Los Angeles where Chinese and Taiwanese nationals were detained.

From Los Angeles Times

They also show residents standing in front of a silver Chevy SUV, prompting a federal agent to use a flash-bang grenade to disperse the crowd but with no effect.

From Los Angeles Times

Whether the demonstration was calm or chaotic, a silent march or a pandemonium of screaming and flash-bang grenades, he’d be there with his camera, calmly taking it all in.

From Seattle Times

After an hourslong standoff, officers used a flash-bang device, which typically produces a bright flash and a loud noise, to distract Ms. Gilland, he said.

From New York Times