Definition
To deploy a smoke grenade, typically to mark a position for extraction, conceal movement, or signal aircraft. Also used colloquially to mean departing quickly from any situation.
Example Usage
We'll pop smoke when the chopper's two minutes out so they can identify our LZ.
Origin
Vietnam War-era term from standard procedure of marking landing zones with colored smoke grenades
Fun Fact
Different smoke colors communicate different things: purple usually means casualty evacuation needed, while green often signals an all-clear landing zone.
Source: Military aviation and ground tactical operations
Related Terms
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See “pop smoke” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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