The bomb

noun, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The atomic bomb; the capability to launch a nuclear attack. capitalized, informal, often, uncountable, usually

    "Pakistan and India both have the Bomb now."

  2. 2
    Alternative form of the bomb (as in a nuclear bomb) alt-of, alternative
  3. 3
    A success; something excellent. slang, uncountable, usually

    "Their new record is the bomb."

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.

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