fire-cracker

A child holds a lit fire-cracker on a quiet street.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small explosive device: "fire-cracker" refers to a small paper or cardboard tube filled with gunpowder or other explosive material, designed to produce a loud bang or series of bangs when ignited, used especially during celebrations or festivals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The children lit a fire-cracker and ran away as it exploded with a loud pop. (A small explosive device used for fun or celebration.)
  • During the Lunar New Year, people set off fire-crackers to scare away evil spirits. (A traditional explosive used in festivities.)

Advanced Usage

• "to pop a fire-cracker": to ignite a fire-cracker so that it explodes.

  • He carefully lit the fuse and waited for the fire-cracker to pop. (He caused the fire-cracker to explode.)

• "a string of fire-crackers": multiple fire-crackers connected together to be ignited in sequence.

  • The shop sold a long string of fire-crackers for the holiday. (A connected series of fire-crackers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Firecracker (n): Alternative spelling of "fire-cracker" (often written without a hyphen).

  • The firecracker made a sharp noise. (Same meaning as fire-cracker.)

• Cracker (n): A general term for a thin, crisp biscuit or a small explosive device (though "cracker" alone usually refers to food).

  • He ate a cracker with cheese. (Food item, not explosive.)

Synonyms

• Explosive: a substance or device that can cause an explosion.
• Banger: a British informal term for a firework that makes a loud bang.
• Petard: an old-fashioned term for a small bomb or explosive device.

Phrasal Verbs

• Set off: to cause something to explode or begin.

  • They set off the fire-crackers at midnight. (They ignited the fire-crackers.)

• Light up: to ignite or cause to burn.

  • He lit up the fire-cracker with a match. (He ignited the fire-cracker.)

Related Idioms

• Not a fire-cracker: used informally to describe something that is not exciting or impressive.

  • The party was not a fire-cracker; it was quite dull. (The party was not lively or explosive.)

• Go off like a fire-cracker: to explode suddenly or to become very angry quickly.

  • He went off like a fire-cracker when he heard the news. (He became extremely angry suddenly.)