hand grenade

American  

noun

1. a grenade or explosive shell that is thrown by hand and exploded either by impact or by means of a fuze.

2. a grenade or glass missile containing a chemical, for extinguishing fire.

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hand grenade British  

noun

1. a small metal or plastic canister containing explosives, usually activated by a short fuse and used in close combat

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Etymology

Origin of hand grenade

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

Nothing was more intriguing than Dahlem showing there used to be a hand grenade competition, with a student from Huntington Park winning the first competition.

From Los Angeles Times

She reflects that her response — “There is nothing that comes to mind” — landed as if she’d “pulled the pin on a hand grenade.”

From Los Angeles Times

During a emotional exchange between Washington and Wright’s characters, Washington unexpectedly started handling a hand grenade that had been placed in King’s office by the prop man.

From Los Angeles Times

In a throwback to the Soviet era, senior students are once again being taught how to use Kalashnikov rifles and hand grenades as part of a course called "The Basics of Safety and Homeland Defence".

From BBC

Army bomb disposal experts were dispatched after magnet fishers caught a suspected hand grenade, police said.

From BBC