rifle-shot

A hunter takes a careful rifle-shot at a distant target.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The distance a bullet from a rifle can travel: "rifle-shot" refers to the range or distance that a projectile fired from a rifle can cover.
   • A single discharge of a rifle: "rifle-shot" can also mean the act or result of firing a rifle once, i.e., a shot from a rifle.
   • A person skilled in shooting a rifle: "rifle-shot" may denote a marksman or shooter who uses a rifle.

Usage Examples

• Noun (distance):

  • The target was within rifle-shot of the fortress. (The target was close enough to be hit by a rifle fired from the fortress.)
  • They retreated beyond rifle-shot to avoid danger. (They moved to a place where the rifle's bullets could not reach them.)

• Noun (discharge):

  • A single rifle-shot echoed through the valley. (One shot from a rifle was heard in the valley.)
  • He heard a rifle-shot and knew the hunt had begun. (He heard the sound of a rifle being fired.)

• Noun (person):

  • He is a skilled rifle-shot, winning many competitions. (He is an expert marksman with a rifle.)

Advanced Usage

• "within rifle-shot": within the range of a rifle's bullet.

  • The deer came within rifle-shot of the hunter. (The deer was close enough for the hunter to shoot it with a rifle.)

• "out of rifle-shot": beyond the range of a rifle's bullet.

  • The enemy camp was out of rifle-shot, so they used artillery. (The camp was too far away for rifles to hit.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rifle (n): a long-barrelled firearm designed for accurate shooting.

  • He cleaned his rifle before the competition. (He maintained his firearm.)

• Shot (n): the act of firing a gun or the projectile itself.

  • The shot missed the target. (The projectile did not hit the intended mark.)

• Rifleman (n): a soldier armed with a rifle.

  • The rifleman took aim at the enemy. (The soldier used his rifle.)

Synonyms

• Gunshot: a shot from any firearm, including rifles.

  • The gunshot startled the birds. (The sound of a firearm.)

• Range: the distance a projectile can travel.

  • The rifle's range is over a kilometre. (The maximum distance the bullet can go.)

• Marksman: a person skilled in shooting.

  • He is a marksman with a rifle. (He is an accurate shooter.)

Related Idioms

• Not a rifle-shot's chance: no possibility or opportunity.

  • They didn't have a rifle-shot's chance of winning. (They had no realistic chance.)

• A rifle-shot away: a very short distance (often used metaphorically).

  • The village was a rifle-shot away from the border. (It was very close.)