go nuclear

Verb

go nuclear (third-person singular simple present goes nuclear, present participle going nuclear, simple past went nuclear, past participle gone nuclear)

1. To acquire nuclear weapons.
   • In this context, the humiliating defeat of 1971 and the Indian nuclear test were major factors in the Pakistani decision to go nuclear.2000, Hooman Peimani, Nuclear Proliferation in the Indian Subcontinent, →ISBN, page 28
   • A decision to go nuclear has important adverse diplomatic repercussions as well. Trying to build a nuclear arsenal is not the way to win friends in the international community.2008, Ted Galen Carpenter, Smart Power: Toward a Prudent Foreign Policy for America, →ISBN, page 111
2. To start using nuclear technology.
   • Now the cost-benefiters calculated nuclear power to be a more efficient investment than building more coal-fired plants, which put them in agreement with the technological optimists on the question of whether to go nuclear.1997, Robert Pool, Beyond Engineering: How Society Shapes Technology, →ISBN
   • However, once we bite the bullet and decide to go nuclear again, it will take at least a decade before new plants start coming on line.2005, A.W. Galston, Christiana Z. Peppard, Expanding Horizons in Bioethics, →ISBN, page 240
3. To involve the use of nuclear weapons, especially in war.
   • Some have suggested that nuclear disarmament will increase the chance that conventional wars will occur since nation states will no longer be deterred by the thought that wars can go nuclear.1984, Douglas P. Lackey, Moral Principles and Nuclear Weapons, →ISBN, page 236
   • This paper does not deal with nuclear terrorism as Thomas Schelling once defined it — namely being he 'balance of nuclear terror' between the major nuclear weapon state - but rather refers to terrorist groups going nuclear.2012, Paul Wilkinson, Technology and Terorrism, →ISBN, page 48
4. (figuratively) To throw a fit; to become enraged with an angry outburst.
   • “We cut the show short, and the brothers went nuclear on me afterward,” said Sammy. “They crucified me for that."2011, Kevin Dodds, Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography, →ISBN, page 150
   • He snickered. Janelle was going nuclear. “Why didn't you tell me?” she shouted.2015, James Patterson, NYPD Red 3, →ISBN
5. (figuratively) To escalate to an extremely high level of excitement or enthusiasm.
   • Years ago, the sport spread from New Zealand to Australia—and went nuclear. Overnight, it seemed, Australia boasted 40 tracks, which were promptly divided into several warring factions.1999 November, Ted West, “Kicking and Screaming”, in Boating, page 114
   • As if the release of her emotions had freed something in him, his ardor increased and the kiss went nuclear.2011, Lucy Monroe, The Sheikh's Bartered Bride, →ISBN