shooting-gallery

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A place for target practice: A "shooting-gallery" is an establishment or area, typically indoors, where people practice shooting at targets with firearms (such as pistols or rifles) for sport, recreation, or skill development.
   • A carnival or fair attraction: In a more informal sense, a "shooting-gallery" can also refer to a booth at a fair, carnival, or amusement park where participants shoot at moving or stationary targets (often with air guns or toy rifles) to win prizes.

Usage Examples

• (A place for firearm target practice.)
• (A carnival attraction with toy guns.)

Advanced Usage

• "shooting-gallery" in a metaphorical sense: Informally, the term can be used to describe a dangerous or chaotic place where gunfire is frequent or uncontrolled.
  • The neighborhood had become a shooting-gallery, with gunshots heard every night. (A violent area with frequent shootings.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shooting (n): the action or practice of firing a gun.
  • Target shooting is a popular sport. (The activity of aiming and firing at a target.)
• Gallery (n): a room or building for the display or practice of an activity.
  • The art gallery was quiet, unlike the noisy shooting-gallery. (A place for art, in contrast.)

Synonyms

• Firing range: a designated area for shooting practice.
• Target range: a facility where people shoot at targets.

Related Idioms

• "Like a shooting-gallery": used to describe a situation where something is repeatedly hit or targeted.
  • The old car was riddled with bullet holes, like a shooting-gallery. (Marked by many hits, as if from target practice.)