fire in the hole

fire in the hole

1. A warning of an imminent explosion in a confined space, especially a grenade or blasting charge. (The addition of quotations indicative of this usage is being sought:)
2. (loosely, by extension, humorous) A warning of any imminent explosive detonation.
   • 2023 July 14, Brittney Mejia, Libor Jany, Richard Winton, “LAPD refused to ID officers behind a huge fireworks explosion. Now we have their names”, in Los Angeles Times‎:

     Before screaming “Fire in the hole!” and detonating a cache of confiscated fireworks on a residential street two years ago, Los Angeles police Det. Damien Levesque repeatedly walked away from critical discussions about the safety of the operation.

3. (slang) A generalized warning that something is about to happen.

(generalized warning):

• heads up
• look out
• watch out