gun

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Thân thiện

Definition

Noun:
- A weapon that discharges a projectile at high velocity: A device, typically a metal tube or barrel, designed to propel a bullet, shell, or other missile using an explosive charge.
- A person who uses a gun: A person who shoots a gun, often with reference to their skill (e.g., a good gun). It can also refer to a professional killer who uses a gun.
- A signal or salute from a firearm: The discharge of a firearm used as a signal to start a race or as a ceremonial salute.
- A device resembling a gun in form or function: A hand-operated tool or machine part that resembles a gun, such as a grease gun or a spray gun.
Verb:
- To shoot with a gun: To use a gun to fire at or hunt something or someone.

Examples

Noun:
- The soldier cleaned his gun. (The soldier cleaned his weapon.)
- He is an excellent gun on the hunting trip. (He is a very skilled shooter on the hunting trip.)
- The race began at the sound of the gun. (The race began when the starting pistol was fired.)
- Use the grease gun to lubricate the fittings. (Use the hand-operated pump to lubricate the fittings.)
Verb:
- The hunters went out to gun for deer. (The hunters went out to shoot deer.)

Advanced Usage

"To jump the gun": To start something too early or before the permitted time.
- The company jumped the gun by announcing the product before the official launch date. (The company acted prematurely by announcing the product.)
"To stick to one's guns": To refuse to change one's opinion or actions despite opposition.
- Despite the criticism, she stuck to her guns and defended her proposal. (She maintained her position.)
"Under the gun": Under great pressure or in a stressful situation with a deadline.
- The team was under the gun to finish the report by Friday. (The team was under intense pressure.)

Variants and Related Words

Gunner (n): A person who operates a gun, especially in the military or on a ship.
Gunfire (n): The repeated firing of guns.
Gunshot (n): The sound of a gun being fired, or the range of a gun.
Handgun (n): A small gun designed to be held and fired with one hand.
Shotgun (n): A smoothbore gun for firing small shot at short range.

Synonyms

Related Phrasal Verbs

Gun down: To shoot someone, typically causing them to fall down, often in a ruthless manner.
- The gangsters gunned down their rival in the street. (The gangsters shot their rival.)
Gun for: To seek out aggressively or with intent to harm or surpass.
- He is gunning for a promotion. (He is aggressively seeking a promotion.)
- The detective was gunning for the notorious criminal. (The detective was determined to catch the criminal.)

Related Idioms

"A smoking gun": Clear and incontrovertible evidence of a crime or wrongdoing.
- The email was the smoking gun that proved his involvement in the fraud. (The email was the definitive proof.)
"Big gun": An important or powerful person.
- The company brought in its big guns to negotiate the deal. (The company brought its most important executives.)
"Spike someone's guns": To spoil someone's plans or thwart their efforts.
- By leaking the news early, they spiked their competitors' guns. (They ruined their competitors' plans.)

Noun

the discharge of a firearm as signal or as a salute in military ceremonies
- two runners started before the gun
- a twenty gun salute
a pedal that controls the throttle valve
- he stepped on the gas
a hand-operated pump that resembles a revolver; forces grease into parts of a machine
a professional killer who uses a gun
a person who shoots a gun (as regards their ability)
large but transportable armament
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

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