a cannonball

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cannonball" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a solid projectile fired from a cannon or metaphorically to describe something that is heavy or impactful. Example: "The soldier loaded a cannonball into the cannon, preparing for the battle ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Allison does a cannonball.

The New York Times - Travel

There was a cannonball contest!

The Guardian - Music

(A cannonball with one leg extended).

The New Yorker

A cannonball? Yes, this is exactly it.

The Guardian - Books

"It's like killing a fly with a cannonball".

The New York Times

On Friday afternoon, there was a Cannonball contest.

The Guardian - Music

Finally decided to try out twitter!" — and created waves like a cannonball.

The New York Times - Sports

His frequently disastrous service ended when he was split open by a cannonball.

The New York Times

He was killed by a cannonball while besieging the fortress of Kalinjar in central India.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It felt like a cannonball hit me in the back of the head," he said then.

The New York Times - Sports

("A cannonball that was too heavy to fly," Mr. Clinton said today).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a cannonball" metaphorically, ensure the context aligns with the imagery of a powerful, impactful force or event. For example, "He entered the negotiation like a cannonball, immediately making strong demands."

Common error

Avoid using "a cannonball" metaphorically in contexts where subtlety is required. Its strong imagery can be jarring or inappropriate for delicate or nuanced situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cannonball" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI examples show it used literally to describe ammunition and metaphorically to indicate impactful events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a cannonball" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase. Ludwig AI data reveals a broad application range, encompassing both literal references to historical weaponry and metaphorical uses to signify a sudden or impactful force. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its register remains largely neutral, making it a versatile phrase. While correct, be aware of overuse in sensitive contexts where its forceful imagery might be unsuitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

round shot

A more historical and technical term for a cannonball, specifying its spherical shape.

artillery shell

Specifies the type of ammunition but is more technical and less versatile than "a cannonball".

diving cannonball

Similar use of the word Cannonball to indicate a position while diving, but specifically in water.

projectile

Focuses on the physical aspect of being launched but lacks the historical context of artillery.

flying missile

Describes a generic object in flight intended as a weapon, lacking historical specificity.

explosive round

Highlights the explosive nature, unlike the solid impact implied by "a cannonball".

forceful impact

Emphasizes the effect rather than the object itself, abstracting away the historical weapon context.

powerful blow

Focuses on the impact and strength, omitting any reference to historical weaponry.

sudden strike

Stresses the unexpectedness and quickness, not the physical properties of a projectile.

destructive force

Highlights the capacity to cause damage, not the specific object or its origins.

FAQs

How can I use "a cannonball" in a sentence?

You can use "a cannonball" to refer to a projectile fired from a cannon, as in, "The soldier loaded "a cannonball" into the cannon". It can also be used metaphorically to describe something sudden and impactful, such as, "The news hit them like "a cannonball"".

What is another way to describe "a cannonball" in a diving context?

In diving, instead of saying "a cannonball", you can say "diving "cannonball position"" or "doing "cannonball dive"" to describe the action of bringing your knees to your chest while jumping into water.

What are some metaphorical uses of "a cannonball"?

Metaphorically, "a cannonball" can represent a sudden and forceful impact, like "The scandal struck the company like "a sudden blow"". It can also describe someone entering a situation aggressively or without finesse.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "a cannonball"?

Yes, using "a cannonball" might be inappropriate in delicate or sensitive situations where a forceful image could be perceived negatively. In such cases, consider using less aggressive alternatives, such as "significant impact" or "major influence".