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

Card had been an instructor at an Army hand grenade training range, where it is believed he was exposed to thousands of low-level blasts.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2024

“The way he comes back at people is truly amazing. He’s out there juggling a razor, a hand grenade and a cobra — and being funny at the same time.”

From Washington Post • Feb. 19, 2023

"So here's Charles trying to establish himself as the new king and now Harry's thrown this hand grenade and it's all coming kind of crashing around him," royal biographer Tina Brown said.

From Reuters • Jan. 8, 2023

Liz Truss was nicknamed "the human hand grenade" but embraced this as a compliment rather than criticism.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2022

Or, more precisely, he’d keep asking questions, keep sighing and staring at the car like it was a hand grenade, until Toby finally told him the truth.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss