the bomb

Meaning

1. (capitalized, informal, often, uncountable, usually) The atomic bomb; the capability to launch a nuclear attack.
2. (slang, uncountable, usually) A success; something excellent.

Synonyms

bomb

💣

bombshell

Translations

قنبلة

💣

bomba

💣

tartana

Bombe

💣

βόμβα

σεξοβόμβα

bombe

💣

flop

bomba

💣

bombe

💣

بۆمبا

pyrobolus

bomba

bom

💣

pompa

Etymology

Attested in reference to nuclear weapons or the capacity to use them since 1932; see quotations, below. As slang for something excellent, the phrase is attested since the 1960s; compare go down a bomb, UK theatre slang during the 1950s meaning “be a major success”. For further etymology see bomb.