depth charge

plural depth charges

1. aeronauticsA form of bomb, launched from a ship or dropped from an aircraft, that is designed to detonate at a certain depth underwater for the purposes of attacking a submerged enemy, especially a submarine.

   The trailblazing Oaxacan chef Alejandro Ruiz […] has spiked this black-bean sauce with a hidden depth charge of flavor: patches of foliage from a local avocado tree. The leaves electrify the sauce with an unexpected thrum of black licorice.

   2014 October 25, Jeff Gordinier, “In search of the perfect taco”, in T: The New York Times Style Magazine (international edition), page 100

   Synonyms: depth bomb, ashcan

2. Synonym of bomb shot (“type of mixed drink”).

   Synonyms: bomb shot

present singular third person depth charges · participle present depth charging · participle past depth charged · past depth charged · alternative depth-charge

1. transitiveaeronauticsTo attack (a target, usually a submarine) with depth charges.

   After the freighter was torpedoed, its escorting destroyers depth charged the submarine for two hours, but failed to sink it.