Definition

Noun: - The act of discharging a firearm: The specific action of shooting a gun, causing it to fire a bullet or projectile.

Usage

• This noun phrase is used to describe the specific, often singular, act of shooting a gun. It can imply a deliberate or rapid action.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The sudden firing off of a rifle startled the birds.
  • He was charged for the illegal firing off of his weapon within city limits.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used metaphorically to describe the rapid sending out of a series of things, such as questions, letters, or emails. However, this is an extended, figurative use of the core meaning related to discharging a firearm.
  • The journalist began firing off questions to the panel. (Here, 'firing off' functions as a phrasal verb, not the noun phrase 'firing off').

Variants and Related Words

• Fire (verb): To discharge a gun or projectile.
• Discharge (noun/verb): The act of firing a weapon; to fire a weapon.
• Shooting (noun): The action of firing a gun.

Synonyms

• Discharge (of a firearm)
• Shooting

Phrasal Verbs (Related)

• Fire off (phrasal verb): To shoot a gun, or to send something rapidly and forcefully (e.g., a letter, an email, a question).
  • The soldier fired off three rounds.
  • She fired off an angry email to customer service.

Noun

1. the act of discharging a gun