shotgun
[ shot-guhn ]
/ ˈʃɒtˌgʌn /
noun
a smoothbore gun for firing small shots to kill birds and small quadrupeds, though often used with buckshot to kill larger animals.
Football.
an offensive formation, designed primarily for passing situations, in which the backfield is spread out with the quarterback positioned a few yards behind the center and the other backs, as potential pass receivers, positioned as slotbacks or flankers.
adjective
verb (used with object), shot·gunned, shot·gun·ning.
to fire a shotgun at.
Idioms for shotgun
- (formerly) to ride atop a stagecoach as a shotgun-bearing guard.
- to protect or keep a watchful eye on something: riding shotgun over the nation's economy.
ride shotgun,
Words nearby shotgun
shot up,
shot-blasting,
shot-putter,
shot-silk retina,
shote,
shotgun,
shotgun microphone,
shotgun wedding,
shothole,
shott,
shotten
British Dictionary definitions for ride shotgun
shotgun
/ (ˈʃɒtˌɡʌn) /
noun
- a shoulder firearm with unrifled bore designed for the discharge of small shot at short range and used mainly for hunting small game
- (as modifier)shotgun fire
American football
an offensive formation in which the quarterback lines up for a snap unusually far behind the line of scrimmage
adjective
mainly US
involving coercion or duress
a shotgun merger
mainly US
involving or relying on speculative suggestions, etc
a shotgun therapy
verb -guns, -gunning or -gunned
(tr) US
to shoot or threaten with or as if with a shotgun
Idioms and Phrases with ride shotgun (1 of 2)
ride shotgun
Guard someone or something while in transit, as in The reporter found himself in the odd position of riding shotgun for an accused mobster. This term alludes to the armed defender of a stagecoach who sat beside the driver to protect against marauders and bandits. Later it was transferred to anyone riding in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, as well as to the more general function of protection. [Mid-1900s]
Idioms and Phrases with ride shotgun (2 of 2)
shotgun