gun

[ guhn ]

/ gʌn /

noun

a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance.

any portable firearm, as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver.

a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory.

any device for shooting something under pressure: a paint gun; a staple gun.

Slang. a person whose profession is killing; professional killer: a gangland gun.

British. a member of a shooting party.

electron gun.

Slang.

(esp. in baseball) a player’s throwing arm.
guns, the biceps or triceps of the arms: his big, muscular guns.

verb (used with object), gunned, gun·ning.

to shoot with a gun (often followed by down): The guards gunned down the fleeing convict.

to cause (an engine, vehicle, aircraft, etc.) to increase in speed very quickly by increasing the supply of fuel.

verb (used without object), gunned, gun·ning.

to hunt with a gun.

to shoot with a gun.

Verb Phrases

gun for,

to seek with intent to harm or kill.
to seek; try earnestly to obtain: He is gunning for a raise.

Idioms for gun

give the gun, Slang. to put into motion or speed up: We gave the motor the gun and drove off.

jump the gun, Slang.

to begin a race before the starting signal.
to begin prematurely; act too hastily.

spike someone's guns, to frustrate or prevent someone from accomplishing a plan: Our competitors planned a surprise reduction in their rates, but we discovered it and were able to spike their guns.

stick to one's guns, to maintain one's position in the face of opposition; stand firm: They stuck to their guns and refused to submit. Also stand by one's guns.

under the gun, under pressure, as to meet a deadline or solve a problem: We're all under the gun with these new sales quotas.

Origin of gun

1300–50; Middle English gunne, gonne, apparently short for Anglo-Latin Gunilda, gonnyld, name for engine of war; compare Old Norse Gunna, short for Gunnhildr woman's name

OTHER WORDS FROM gun

gun·less, adjective

Words nearby gun

gumshoe, gumsucker, gumtree, gumweed, gumwood, gun, gun brig, gun camera, gun carriage, gun control, gun crew

British Dictionary definitions for gun for (1 of 2)

gun for

verb (intr, preposition)

to search for in order to reprimand, punish, or kill

to try earnestly for he was gunning for promotion

British Dictionary definitions for gun for (2 of 2)

gun

/ (ɡʌn) /

noun

a weapon with a metallic tube or barrel from which a missile is discharged, usually by force of an explosion. It may be portable or mounted. In a military context the term applies specifically to a flat-trajectory artillery piece
(as modifier)a gun barrel

the firing of a gun as a salute or signal, as in military ceremonial

a member of or a place in a shooting party or syndicate

any device used to project something under pressure a grease gun; a spray gun

US slang an armed criminal; gunman

Australian and NZ slang

an expert
(as modifier)a gun shearer; a gun batsman

go great guns slang to act or function with great speed, intensity, etc

jump the gun or beat the gun

(of a runner, etc) to set off before the starting signal is given
informal to act prematurely

spike someone's guns See spike 1 (def. 15)

stick to one's guns informal to maintain one's opinions or intentions in spite of opposition

verb guns, gunning or gunned

(when tr, often foll by down) to shoot (someone) with a gun

(tr) to press hard on the accelerator of (an engine) to gun the engine of a car

(intr) to hunt with a gun

Word Origin for gun

C14: probably from a female pet name shortened from the Scandinavian name Gunnhildr (from Old Norse gunnr war + hildr war)

Idioms and Phrases with gun for (1 of 2)

gun for

Pursue relentlessly so as to overcome or destroy. For example, He was sure they were gunning for him and asked for police protection, or The senator felt that the reporters were gunning for him with that article about his brother. [Slang; late 1800s]

Go after in earnest, try hard to obtain. For example, He's been gunning for a raise all year. [Slang; mid-1900s]

Idioms and Phrases with gun for (2 of 2)

gun

In addition to the idiom beginning with gun

gun for
gung ho

also see:

at gunpoint
big cheese (gun)
great guns
hired gun
hold a gun to someone's head
jump the gun
smoking gun
son of a bitch (gun)
stick to one's guns
under the gun

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

gun

noun

verb (used with object), gunned, gun·ning.

verb (used without object), gunned, gun·ning.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for gun

Origin of gun

OTHER WORDS FROM gun

Words nearby gun

British Dictionary definitions for gun for (1 of 2)

verb (intr, preposition)

British Dictionary definitions for gun for (2 of 2)

noun

verb guns, gunning or gunned

Word Origin for gun

Idioms and Phrases with gun for (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with gun for (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

gun

noun

verb (used with object), gunned, gun·ning.

verb (used without object), gunned, gun·ning.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for gun

Origin of gun

OTHER WORDS FROM gun

Words nearby gun

Words related to gun for

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verb (intr, preposition)

British Dictionary definitions for gun for (2 of 2)

noun

verb guns, gunning or gunned

Word Origin for gun

Idioms and Phrases with gun for (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with gun for (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for gun for (1 of 2)