go nuclear

The phrase "go nuclear" has both literal and figurative meanings, often implying an extreme escalation in various contexts.

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Definition

C1International Relations

(technical)To develop or acquire nuclear weapons.

Example

There are concerns that the country might go nuclear in response to regional threats.

B2Energy

(technical)To start using nuclear technology for energy production.

Example

The government decided to go nuclear to meet its growing energy demands.

C1Military

(technical)To use or threaten to use nuclear weapons in a conflict.

Example

During the crisis, there were fears that the situation might escalate and one of the nations could go nuclear.

B2Emotional Reaction

(figurative, informal)To become extremely angry or lose one's temper.

Example

When he found out about the mistake, he went nuclear and started yelling at everyone.

B2General

(figurative, informal)To escalate a situation to an extreme level of intensity or excitement.

Example

The crowd went nuclear when the band started playing their hit song.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "go nuclear":

nuclear option nuclear power go ballistic nuclear energy go native drop the bomb nuclear rocket nuclear force nuclear button go nuts nuclear radiation go mental go wild go dark go rogue nuclear fallout