have a sharp tongue; be abrasive
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to have a sharp tongue; to speak harshly; to be abrasive
informalA metaphorical expression used to criticize someone for speaking in an unnecessarily angry, confrontational, or explosive manner, as if they have 'eaten gunpowder'. Used colloquially, often with a touch of humor or exasperation.
Nǐ你
jīn今
tiān天
zěn怎
me么
la啦
，
chī吃
qiāng枪
yào药
la啦
？
Chōng冲
wǒ我
fā发
zhè这
me么
dà大
huǒ火
er儿
！
What's wrong with you today? Have you eaten gunpowder? Why are you shouting at me so angrily?
Tā他
yī一
jìn进
mén门
jiù就
chī吃
qiāng枪
yào药
shì似
de的
，
dǎi逮
shuí谁
mà骂
shuí谁
。
As soon as he walked in, he was like he'd eaten gunpowder, cursing at everyone he saw.
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Bié别
lǐ理
tā他
，
tā他
jīn今
tiān天
xīn心
qíng情
bù不
hǎo好
，
gēn跟
chī吃
le了
qiāng枪
yào药
yī一
yàng样
。
Ignore him. He's in a bad mood today and is acting as if he's eaten gunpowder.