drop a bombshell

present singular third person drops a bombshell · participle present dropping a bombshell · participle past dropped a bombshell · past dropped a bombshell

1. idiomaticTo announce surprising or alarming information suddenly and without warning.

   When the two men got together to discuss contract arrangements, the challenger dropped a bombshell. "If you lie down you can have the whole purse — $10,000," O'Brien told him.²³

   2000, Dan McCaffery, Tommy Burns: Canada's Unknown World Heavyweight Champion, page 135

   2 more examples

   John and Rick were knee-deep in pre-production when the client dropped a bombshell: Both of the tax services spots had been killed, but they still needed to air something in the same time frame.

   2002, Lisa Hickey, Design Secrets: Advertising: 50 Real-Life Projects Uncovered, page 64

   "Yeah, you are my baby's daddy. Well I have to leave, but we'll be in touch." Asia dropped a piece of paper on my desk and walked out the door with a huge smile on her face.[…]How could Asia just come in and drop a bombshell and then walk out like there was nothing to it?

   2009, Marion Brown III, The Worst Part of Me, page 116

   Synonyms: drop a bomb