blank shell

A shell casing that contains gunpowder but no projectile, used for training, signaling, or ceremonial purposes; also used metaphorically to describe something that appears functional but lacks substance or real content.

• 🇪🇸Cartucho que contiene pólvora pero sin proyectil, usado para entrenamiento, señales o fines ceremoniales; también se usa metafóricamente para describir algo que parece funcional pero carece de sustancia o contenido real.

1. Ammunition without projectile B2 formal

   A cartridge that contains gunpowder but no bullet, used for training, signaling, or ceremonial purposes.

   • The soldiers fired blank shells during the training exercise.
   • Blank shells are used in movies to simulate gunfire safely.
   • The cannon fired a blank shell as a salute.

   🇪🇸Cartucho de fogueo

2. Figurative: Something empty or ineffective C1 informal

   A person or thing that appears to have substance but lacks real power, meaning, or effect.

   • His promises turned out to be just a blank shell.
   • The company's new policy was a blank shell with no real changes.
   • She felt like a blank shell after the exhausting week.

   🇪🇸cascarón vacío