Definition of Loose cannon

1. Noun. A person who is expected to perform a particular task but who is out of control and dangerous.

Generic synonyms: Individual, Mortal, Person, Somebody, Someone, Soul

Definition of Loose cannon

1. Noun. (nautical) a cannon that breaks loose during battle or a storm and causes serious damage to the ship and its crew ¹

2. Noun. (idiomatic by extension) an uncontrolled or unpredictable person who causes damage to their own faction, political party etc. ¹

3. Verb. (idiomatic) To behave in a way such as to cause damage to ones own faction, political party etc. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Loose Cannon

loos
loose
loose-box
loose-fitting
loose-jointed
loose-jowled
loose-leaf
loose-leaf lettuce
loose-lipped
loose-meat sandwich
loose-tongued
loose ablative
loose body
loose box
loose cannon
loose cannons
loose cartilage
loose change
loose coupling
loose end
loose ends
loose lip
loose lips
loose off
loose scrum
loose sentence
loose skin
loose smut
loose trousers

Literary usage of Loose cannon

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. How to Speak in Public by Grenville Kleiser (1906)
"... paralyze a bull, fascinate a serpent, terrify a tiger, and soften the noble heart of a lion; no resource with such a monster as a loose cannon. ..."

2. How to Speak in Public by Grenville Kleiser (1906)
"... paralyze a bull, fascinate a serpent, terrify a tiger, and soften the noble heart of a lion; no resource with such a monster as a loose cannon. ..."

3. Wheeler's Graded Literary Readers, with Interpretations by William Iler Crane, William Henry Wheeler (1919)
"Every movement of the loose cannon threatened the ship's destruction. A few moments more and shipwreck would be inevitable. They must perish or put a speedy ..."

4. Report of the Congressional Committees Investigating the Iran/Contra Affair by Lee H. Hamilton, Daniel K. Inouye (1995)
"At the same time, North had his own reservations that Rodriguez was "something of a loose cannon" who might reveal the operation.147 On June 8, ..."

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