loose cannon

noun

: a dangerously uncontrollable person or thing

Examples of loose cannon in a Sentence

a politician who is regarded as a loose cannon by her colleagues
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
With a turncoat on the loose among the agents, time is of the essence to root out the loose cannon before they, ahem, fire. Charlie Mason, TVLine, 16 Sep. 2024 That’s not to say that Harris is best as a loose cannon. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024 Linebacker Jack Campbell also was a loose cannon, in the middle of several fights. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2024 Williams’s special, intended to capitalize on his reputation as a loose cannon, instantly disappeared into the cultural ether. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 6 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for loose cannon 

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loose cannon was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near loose cannon

Cite this Entry

“Loose cannon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loose%20cannon. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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