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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hand grenade

Badly treated at home, a place he describes as “a hand grenade with the pin half pulled,” young Sylvester was thrown out of a dozen schools as his family moved from one situation to another.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

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 ● Aug. 6, 2025

Card was a "long-time" instructor at an Army hand grenade training range, according to a statement released by the Concussion Legacy Foundation on Wednesday.

From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2024

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

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

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