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loose cannon

The definition of a loose cannon is someone or something unpredictable who could do something destructive or dangerous at any time.

(noun)

An example of a loose cannon is your drunk uncle at your wedding who may or may not start to yell at everyone and throw a fit.

See loose cannon in Webster's New World College Dictionary

a careless, uncontrollable person using poor judgment, whose unpredictable words or actions cause embarrassment or harm to others

See loose cannon in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
Slang

One that is uncontrolled and therefore poses danger: “[His] bloopers in the White House seem to make him . . . a political loose cannon” (Tom Morgenthau).

Origin:

Origin: From the threat posed by loose cannon rolling about a warship under sail

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