Definition

1. Noun:

   • An act of firing a gun or other weapon: The discharge of a projectile from a firearm or similar device.
   • A small, solid projectile for a gun; a bullet or pellet: The ammunition itself.
   • An attempt to score points in a game: An action, such as throwing, kicking, or hitting a ball, intended to score in sports like basketball, soccer, or hockey.
   • An attempt or effort to do something: An informal term for trying to achieve something.
   • A photograph or a single continuous film sequence: An image taken with a camera or a single, unedited sequence in a movie.
   • A small amount of a drink, especially liquor: A small serving of an alcoholic beverage, typically consumed in one gulp.
   • An injection of a drug or vaccine: The act of administering medicine via a syringe.

2. Adjective:

   • Woven or treated so as to show changing colors: Having a fabric or surface that appears to change color when viewed from different angles.
   • (Informal) Ruined, worn out, or exhausted: No longer functional or in good condition.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • He heard a shot in the distance. (The sound of a gun being fired.)
  • The police found a spent shot at the scene. (A used bullet.)
  • Her winning shot from the three-point line was incredible. (A successful throw in basketball.)
  • It's a difficult task, but I'll give it my best shot. (I will try my hardest.)
  • The photographer took a beautiful shot of the sunset. (A photograph.)
  • He ordered a shot of tequila. (A small glass of liquor.)
  • The nurse administered a flu shot. (A vaccine injection.)

• Adjective:

  • She wore a dress of shot silk. (Silk fabric with an iridescent sheen.)
  • After the marathon, my legs are completely shot. (My legs are exhausted and useless.)

Advanced Usage

• "call the shots": To be in charge or make the important decisions.
  • In this company, the CEO calls the shots.
• "a shot in the arm": Something that provides encouragement or a boost, like a stimulant.
  • The new investment was a real shot in the arm for the local economy.
• "a shot in the dark": A wild guess or an attempt with little chance of success.
  • I don't know the answer; my reply was just a shot in the dark.

Variants and Related Words

• Shoot (verb): The action from which "shot" is derived. To fire a gun or to photograph/film.
• Shotgun (noun): A type of firearm.
• Snapshot (noun): An informal photograph.
• Shot put (noun): An athletic event involving throwing a heavy metal ball.

Synonyms

• Attempt, try, effort (for the noun meaning "an effort").
• Bullet, pellet, projectile (for the noun meaning "ammunition").
• Photograph, picture, snap (for the noun meaning "photo").
• Jigger, nip (for the noun meaning "small drink").

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Shot through with: Pervaded or filled with a quality.
  • His speech was shot through with optimism.
• Shot down: To reject an idea or proposal decisively; to literally shoot an aircraft from the sky.
  • He proposed a new plan, but it was immediately shot down by the board.

Related Idioms

• Like a shot: Very quickly and without hesitation.
  • When he offered me the job, I accepted like a shot.
• A long shot: An attempt or candidate with a very low probability of success.
  • It's a long shot, but we might still win the contract.
• Not by a long shot: Not at all; not by any means.
  • We haven't finished the project, not by a long shot.

Adjective

1. varying in color when seen in different lights or from different angles
   • changeable taffeta
   • chatoyant (or shot) silk
   • a dragonfly hovered, vibrating and iridescent

Noun

1. the launching of a missile or spacecraft to a specified destination
2. informal words for any attempt or effort
   • he gave it his best shot
   • he took a stab at forecasting
3. an attempt to score in a game
4. a blow hard enough to cause injury
   • he is still recovering from a shot to his leg
   • I caught him with a solid shot to the chin
5. an explosive charge used in blasting
6. sports equipment consisting of a heavy metal ball used in the shot put
   • he trained at putting the shot
7. an informal photograph; usually made with a small hand-held camera
   • my snapshots haven't been developed yet
   • he tried to get unposed shots of his friends
8. an estimate based on little or no information
9. an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
   • his parting shot was `drop dead'
   • she threw shafts of sarcasm
   • she takes a dig at me every chance she gets
10. a small drink of liquor
    • he poured a shot of whiskey
11. the act of putting a liquid into the body by means of a syringe
    • the nurse gave him a flu shot
12. a consecutive series of pictures that constitutes a unit of action in a film
13. a person who shoots (usually with respect to their ability to shoot)
    • he is a crack shot
    • a poor shooter
14. a chance to do something
    • he wanted a shot at the champion
15. (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
    • it took two strokes to get out of the bunker
    • a good shot requires good balance and tempo
    • he left me an almost impossible shot
16. a solid missile discharged from a firearm
    • the shot buzzed past his ear
17. the act of firing a projectile
    • his shooting was slow but accurate