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.
“Currently the logic is not to escalate, and when you put in a player that is a loose cannon in the mix, you lose control of the situation.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
They might be rock-solid characters, or a loose cannon.
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2025
That’s not to say that Harris is best as a loose cannon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 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
“You and I never got along. Why would you want a loose cannon on your team?”
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
