can opener

• can-opener

can opener (plural can openers)

1. A device used to open tin cans, usually by slicing the lid off.

   Synonym: (British) tin opener

   Hypernym: opener

   Hyponyms: churchkey, church key

   Coordinate term: bottle opener

2. (roller derby) A shoulder hit to the chest, usually accomplished while moving from a crouched to a standing position.
3. (slang) A tool for safe-cracking.
   • 1933, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce, Investigation of So-Called "Rackets": Hearings, page 697:

     Even the work of opening a safe with nitroglycerine or with a can opener places the criminal in a state of nervous tension.

   • 2003, Edward Anthony Gibbons, Crime, Passion & Conscience, page 69:

     “I wonder why they didn't use 'soup' (nitroglycerine) snuffing the drum (blowing safe) instead of a 'can-opener,” (3 ft. steel rod, pointed one end to punch starting hole in bottom of safe, other end shaped like a can opener to peal^[sic] the bottom of safe open.) commented McLaughlin? ^[sic]

4. (military, nautical, slang) A ramming maneuver, that opens up the target ship like a tin can.
5. (military, slang) An anti-tank munition or attack vehicle, that opens up armour like a tin can.