flash-bang
Americannoun
-
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.
-
a dazzling flash of light accompanied by a loud noise.
The thick smoke mingled with the occasional flash-bang of a surplus grenade.
-
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
-
relating to or characterized by a combination of bright light and loud noise.
An intense hail started, followed by extremely close, flash-bang lightning.
-
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 ● Mar. 8, 2024
Their tactics — which included secret detentions of activists and the wholesale use of tear gas and flash-bang grenades against growing crowds — were widely seen as excessive and drew more protesters into the streets.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2020
Meanwhile, a U.S. judge on Friday ordered Seattle police to temporarily stop using tear gas, pepper spray and flash-bang devices to break up largely peaceful protests.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 13, 2020
Detective Willie H. Wingfield pulled the pin on a flash-bang and prepared to toss it inside.
From New York Times ● Mar. 18, 2017
Judging from the ringing in Leo’s ears, the dwarf had detonated the flash-bang grenade, which Leo had filled with a rare vial of Apollo’s music, pure liquid extract.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
