Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

• Firearm: A portable gun (general term).
• Pistol: A small handgun.
• Rifle: A long gun with a rifled barrel.
• Revolver: A handgun with a revolving cylinder.

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

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

Verb

1. shoot with a gun