loose cannon

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cunha has been linked with a big-money move over the past year with Europe's top clubs keen, but he may be viewed as a loose cannon because of his antics.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2025

Some of the grapevine talk has gotten back to her — how she’s a loose cannon or stirring the pot to cover up for complaints accusing her of misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2024

“One man’s loose cannon is another man’s freedom fighter,” she wrote in 1987 of the city’s cast of characters in 1987.

From Slate • Jun. 14, 2023

Those are the rules, and vice presidents who break them are blasted for going off-script or being a loose cannon.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

In Thomas’s mind, Newt was in charge, but he could also be a loose cannon sometimes.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner