Definition

Noun: A simple, straight, narrow tube, typically made from a hollow plant stem or plastic, through which small pellets (such as dried peas) can be propelled by blowing, aimed at a target.

Usage

A "pea shooter" is a basic toy or device. The user places a small, round projectile (like a dried pea, a paper spitball, or a plastic pellet) into one end of the tube, puts that end in their mouth, and blows forcefully to shoot the projectile out the other end.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The child made a pea shooter from a hollow reed to play with in the garden.
  • He got in trouble for using a pea shooter to launch spitballs during class.

Advanced Usage

• "pea-shooter" (hyphenated form): Often used as a hyphenated compound when functioning as an attributive noun (modifying another noun).
  • He was caught with pea-shooter ammunition in his pocket.

Variants and Related Words

• Peashooter: A common alternative spelling, written as one word.
• Blowgun: A larger, more serious hunting weapon that operates on a similar principle of propelling a dart by blowing. A pea shooter is a toy version of this concept.
• Spitball: A small piece of paper chewed and shaped into a pellet, often used as ammunition for a pea shooter.

Synonyms

• Toy blowpipe
• Blow tube (in the context of a toy)

Related Phrases

• "like shooting peas at a tank": An idiom implying a futile or completely ineffective action, due to the pea shooter's lack of power.
  • Arguing with him is like shooting peas at a tank; he never listens.

Noun

1. a straight narrow tube through which pellets (as dried peas) can be blown at a target