bomb
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bomb
An object filled with explosives that is used for destruction through an explosion.
Der Kampfmittelräumdienst konnte die Fliegerbombe aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg erfolgreich entschärfen.
The bomb disposal service was able to successfully defuse the aerial bomb from the Second World War.
bombshell
Colloquial term for shocking, surprising news or a revelation.
Als er seine Kündigung verkündete, schlug die Nachricht ein wie eine Bombe.
When he announced his resignation, the news hit like a bombshell.
the bomb
Colloquial term for something that is considered extraordinarily good, successful, or impressive.
Das Konzert gestern Abend war die absolute Bombe!
The concert last night was the absolute bomb!
In the literal sense, 'Bombe' (bomb) is often used with specific verbs. These include 'eine Bombe entschärfen' (to defuse a bomb), 'eine Bombe zünden' (to detonate a bomb), or 'eine Bombe legen' (to plant a bomb).
Spezialisten mussten die Bombe unter Wasser zünden.
Specialists had to detonate the bomb underwater.
The expression 'die Bombe platzen lassen' means to announce surprising and often unpleasant news. The person who delivers the news 'lässt die Bombe platzen' (drops the bombshell).
Auf der Familienfeier ließ er die Bombe platzen und verkündete seine Auswanderung.
At the family celebration, he dropped the bombshell and announced that he was emigrating.
When a piece of news has a big, sudden impact, people say it 'schlägt ein wie eine Bombe' (hits like a bomb). This expression describes the shock or surprise triggered by information.
Die Nachricht von der Schließung der Fabrik schlug in der Stadt ein wie eine Bombe.
The news of the factory closing hit the town like a bombshell.
The use of 'Bombe' (the bomb) as an expression for something great or impressive is purely colloquial. You should only use this expression in informal situations with friends.
Die Party war echt die Bombe!
The party was really the bomb!
hammer
Both words can colloquially express strong praise for something particularly impressive. „Der Hammer“ is typically used with an article as a fixed evaluation, while „Bombe“ in this meaning often appears predicatively without an article. Both forms are possible, but the expression and sentence structure differ.
Der neue Film ist wirklich Bombe.
The new film is really fantastic.
Der neue Film ist wirklich der Hammer.
The new film is really amazing.
