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A loose cannon is someone who behaves unpredictably and recklessly, often in a way that puts others at risk or negatively affects what they’re trying to do.

People considered loose cannons can’t be trusted because there’s no telling what they’re going to say or do. Loose cannons are thought to be uncontrollable. The metaphor is based on the image of a cannon on a ship that comes loose (such as during a storm) and starts dangerously sliding around and slamming into the people on board and the parts of the ship, causing injuries and damage.

Example: I need everyone on my team to be on the same page and to work together—I don’t want any loose cannons causing chaos.

he first records of the phrase loose cannon come from before the 1900s. The metaphor dates back to the time when wooden warships used to carry cannons, which were tied down to prevent them from shifting around as the ship moved. These cannons were big and heavy, and one coming loose would be very dangerous (mostly due to smashing into people and things, as opposed to exploding).

The phrase loose cannon is usually applied to the person in a group or on a team who’s unpredictable and whose unpredictability is likely to cause some kind of damage. Their recklessness may make it difficult for the team to accomplish its task, or it may derail the effort altogether. This recklessness can come in the form of erratic behavior, or it may come in the form of the incendiary things the loose cannon says.

The figurative sense of time bomb can refer to a person who’s likely to “explode” and cause some kind of chaos or damage. However, it’s most commonly used to refer to situations, as opposed to people. The figurative sense of powder keg is similar, but it always refers to potentially explosive situations.

What are some words that share a root or word element with loose cannon?��

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• loose
• cannon
• loose end
• loose change

What are some words that often get used in discussing loose cannon?

• unpredictable
• reckless
• erratic
• dangerous
• havoc
• chaos

Calling someone a loose cannon is almost always intended as a criticism.

Sammy is a liability to his party we’ve all known that for a long time. But to be a liability to public health messaging is just too much. Why do they continually allow him to be such a loose cannon?

— ACullen (@cullen_annette)

The old-fashioned number 10 was in so many cases a loose cannon off the field, enjoying a playboy lifestyle and an attitude to training that wouldn’t be tolerated in today’s sports science culture.

— Prashanth Nair (@reddevil07nair)

Drafting in a 14-team keeper league with friends every year reminds me that I'm so much more comfortable drafting with industry "experts."

Loose cannons blow up drafts because you can't plan.

— Joe Dolan (@FG_Dolan)

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Which of the following words does NOT describe someone who’s considered a loose cannon?

A. dangerous
B. reckless
C. predictable
D. erratic