Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small explosive bomb thrown by hand or launched from a weapon: A grenade is a weapon consisting of an explosive charge inside a container, designed to be thrown by hand or projected from a launcher to inflict damage on enemy personnel or materiel through fragmentation, blast, or other effects.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The soldier pulled the pin and threw the grenade into the enemy trench.
  • Police used tear gas grenades to disperse the crowd.
  • He was trained in the safe handling of various types of grenades.

Advanced Usage

• "To cook off a grenade": A dangerous tactic of holding a live grenade for a few seconds after pulling the pin before throwing it, reducing the time an enemy has to react or throw it back.

  • The veteran warned the recruits never to try to cook off a grenade; it's far too risky.

• "Dud grenade": A grenade that fails to explode after being activated.

  • They found a dud grenade from the war buried in the field.

Variants and Related Words

• Hand grenade (n): The most common type, designed specifically to be thrown by hand.

  • The infantryman carried several hand grenades on his vest.

• Grenade launcher (n): A weapon designed to fire grenade cartridges.

  • The grenade launcher was mounted under the rifle's barrel.

• Grenadier (n): Historically, a soldier specialized in throwing grenades; in modern contexts, often a member of a specific infantry unit.

  • The regiment of grenadiers led the assault.

Synonyms

• Explosive device: A general term for any apparatus designed to explode.
• Missile (in the context of a launched projectile): A weapon that is thrown or projected.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: 'Grenade' is primarily a noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The following are related verbal phrases.) - To lob a grenade: To throw a grenade in a high arc. - He lobbed the grenade over the wall.

• To prime a grenade / To pull the pin on a grenade: To activate a grenade by removing its safety pin.
  • Once you pull the pin on a grenade, you must throw it.

Related Idioms

• "Like a live grenade": Used to describe a highly volatile, dangerous, or unpredictable situation or person that must be handled with extreme care.

  • The political scandal landed in his lap like a live grenade.

• "To drop a grenade (in a conversation)": To introduce a shocking, controversial, or disruptive statement into a discussion.

  • He dropped a conversational grenade by suddenly announcing his resignation.

Noun

1. a small explosive bomb thrown by hand or fired from a missile