gunfight
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A brief, violent confrontation between individuals or small groups using firearms, typically occurring at close range and involving an exchange of gunfire.
Usage
The word "gunfight" specifically describes an armed conflict where the primary weapons are guns. It implies a sudden, often unplanned, engagement rather than a prolonged military battle. It is commonly used in historical and fictional contexts, particularly regarding the American Old West.
Examples
- The two outlaws had a gunfight in the middle of the dusty street.
- The film's climax features a dramatic gunfight at the corral.
- Historical records detail the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
Advanced Usage
- "to have a gunfight with (someone)": To engage in a gunfight against a specific opponent.
- The sheriff knew he would eventually have to have a gunfight with the gang leader.
- "a running gunfight": A gunfight that moves from one location to another, often involving pursuit.
- The bank robbery led to a running gunfight through the city streets.
Variants and Related Words
- Gunfighter (n): A person, especially in the American Old West, skilled in and known for engaging in gunfights.
- Shootout (n): A synonym often used interchangeably with "gunfight," emphasizing the exchange of fire until one side is defeated.
Synonyms
- Shootout
- Firefight (often implies a military or tactical context)
- Gun battle
Related Phrases
- To draw first: To be the first to pull out and fire one's gun in a confrontation. This is a key concept in the context of a gunfight.
- In the duel, he was faster and managed to draw first.
- Standoff: A confrontation where neither side will back down, which may precede or describe the tense period before a gunfight.
- The tense standoff lasted for hours before the gunfight erupted.
Noun
- a fight involving shooting small arms with the intent to kill or frighten