fire in the hole

The phrase "fire in the hole" originated from mining and military contexts to warn of imminent explosions but has since been adopted more broadly as a general warning.

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Definition

B2Mining and Military

(technical)A warning shouted to alert others that an explosive detonation is imminent.

Example

  • The miners yelled 'fire in the hole' before the dynamite exploded.
  • Soldiers were trained to shout 'fire in the hole' when setting off charges.

B2General

(slang, informal)A phrase used to indicate that something dangerous or intense is about to happen.

Example

  • Everyone ducked when someone shouted 'fire in the hole' during the prank.
  • The engineer warned 'fire in the hole' as the rocket was about to launch.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "fire in the hole":

in the holefire outline of fireopen firewalking fireback firefire offreturn fireshots firedbonus holehold fireon firetake firefiring pointlove holefire awaycold fireblow a hole throughdraw fireunder firefalse firefront holebin firecoal holefiring linedie in a fireback holefired up