Bombing Meaning
Bombing Definition & Usage
The act of attacking a target by dropping bombs from an aircraft or other aerial platform.
Examples
- "The bombing of the city left a massive crater where the main square once stood."
- "The government condemned the bombing as an unjustifiable act of violence."
- "Many civilians were killed in the bombing raid over the weekend."
- "The air force conducted a strategic bombing campaign to cripple the enemy's supply lines."
- "International law prohibits bombing civilian areas, but there have been numerous violations."
A failure, especially when something doesn't succeed or performs poorly, often in the context of entertainment or business.
Examples
- "The movie was a total bombing at the box office, making only a fraction of its production cost."
- "The band's concert in the city was a bombing; the audience barely reacted."
- "Her attempt to pitch the new product was a bombing; none of the investors were interested."
- "The comedian's jokes bombed last night, leaving the crowd in awkward silence."
- "The company’s new ad campaign completely bombed, with customers expressing disappointment online."
To fail spectacularly, often used to describe poor performance in a variety of fields like entertainment, business, or even personal endeavors.
Examples
- "The show bombed, with critics calling it a disaster."
- "I totally bombed my presentation; I forgot half of what I was going to say."
- "His startup idea bombed because it was poorly researched."
- "Her pitch bombed because she didn’t connect with the audience."
- "I bombed the interview; they didn’t even ask me to stay for a second round."
Cultural Context
Bombing, as an act of aerial attack, has been used in warfare for over a century, with notable examples during both World Wars. It became a significant tool in both strategic and tactical military operations. The term also evolved into a slang expression in the 20th century, notably within entertainment industries, where it was used to describe a failure to meet audience expectations.
The Unexpected Bombing
Story
The Unexpected Bombing
It was the night of the grand opening for the newest theater in town, a state-of-the-art venue boasting the latest technology and an impeccable sound system. The director, a young and ambitious woman named Clara, was nervously pacing backstage as the audience trickled in. She had worked tirelessly on her latest production, a modern take on Shakespeare’s 'Macbeth', and she was confident it would be a hit. The curtain went up, and the first scene began. But as soon as the actors delivered their opening lines, Clara could sense something was wrong. The audience, usually quick to laugh or react, sat completely still, their faces blank. By the time the third scene had ended, it was clear: the show was bombing. Clara could hear whispers and the occasional cough from the crowd, but no applause. Her heart sank as she watched the actors stumble through their lines, their energy waning. The lighting cues were off, the sound system malfunctioned, and the actors’ delivery was flat. Backstage, Clara’s assistant gave her a pitying look. 'It's okay,' he whispered, 'just focus on finishing it.' But as the play dragged on, it became undeniable. The opening night had become a disaster—a total bombing. When the final curtain fell, there was no applause. Clara stood there, stunned, feeling the weight of the failure. But even as she walked off the stage, she knew this wouldn't be the end. Sometimes, a bombing is just the first step toward learning and improving. She'd come back stronger for the next one. The press would surely report the flop, but Clara was already thinking about how to rebuild and what her next project would look like. As they left the theater, a few audience members could be heard discussing how the production 'bombed'. But Clara had already begun planning her comeback. She just needed time to reflect and regroup.
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