loose cannon 

In the days of sail, naval vessels mounted cannon carefully and purposefully rigged into positions which optimised the effect of their fire. Occasionally, the rigging of these very heavy guns might come loose, and with the vessel pitching about on high seas or during manuever in battle, the results for the ship and crew could prove catastrophic. The term has come to describe a person lacking prudence or insight, whose actions and/or speech jeopardises the safety of people in their proximity or under their authority.

Like a drunken bully, the politician shrugged off his advisors and taunted the insurgent forces operating in the country his armies were attempting to pacify. He had become a LOOSE CANNON.

loose cannon by crowbone July 3, 2003

loose cannon 

an individual who has little to no self control, does not think logically,whose grasp on reality is feeble. a seemingly misunderstood person who is in fact a walking disaster waiting to happen.

one loose cannon spoils the bunch.

loose cannon by blockhead February 1, 2004

loose cannon 

A wild one. Someone who does not conform to the rest of society. A maverick. A guy who plays by his own rules and to hell with the consequences. Shows you what he can do.

JC - Ladies, let me show you what I can do.

Ladies - Wow. That John Clegg is one loose cannon.

loose cannon by The Strut October 12, 2004

loose cannon  

a very irresponsible person who is likely to cause destruction

How did such a loose cannon get into a position of authority?

loose cannon by The Return of Light Joker October 2, 2008

Loose cannon 

Someone who is unstable and unpredictable

Matt Goulster was a loose cannon at work yesterday

Loose cannon by Baron Von Wellington May 28, 2018

loose cannon 

A term of jealous criticism applied to individuals of rare flexibility and creativity, by mobs of petty-minded group-thinking procedure slaves.

They called me a loose cannon until one of my crazy ideas saved them half a million bucks. After that I insisted on being called a 360 degree swivel-mounted artillery unit.

loose cannon by Alex From Oz October 20, 2007

Loose Cannon 

1. Reiju Chacko
2. A danger and liability to all surrounding human beings.

After his 3rd cup of double back diamond coffee and 2 red bulls, Reiju Chacko is a loose cannon.

Loose Cannon by The White Russian 007 October 21, 2011