dynamite

A powerful substance used to break rock or destroy structures by exploding.

• The workers used dynamite to break the rock.
• They found several sticks of dynamite in the shed.
• A dynamite blast opened the tunnel entrance.

Common phrases: stick of dynamite, use dynamite, dynamite blast

Something extremely exciting, impressive, or likely to cause serious trouble.

• Her performance was pure dynamite.
• The leaked report is political dynamite.
• That new dance track is absolute dynamite.

Common phrases: political dynamite, pure dynamite, absolute dynamite

To destroy or break something apart using a powerful explosive.

• They plan to dynamite the old bridge.
• Workers dynamited the rock blocking the tunnel.
• The building was dynamited before construction began.

Similar words: blow up, blast

Common phrases: dynamite a bridge, dynamite a building, dynamite the rock

To apply the brakes suddenly with full force.

• He had to dynamite the brakes.
• The driver dynamited his brakes when a deer appeared.
• Do not dynamite the brakes on an icy road.

Similar words: slam on

Common phrases: dynamite the brakes, dynamite your brakes

If brakes do this, they lock because they have been applied too suddenly.

• The brakes may dynamite under sudden pressure.
• His brakes dynamited, and the truck skidded.
• Apply steady pressure so the brakes do not dynamite.

Similar words: lock up

Common phrases: brakes dynamite, dynamite suddenly