A weapon consisting of a metal tube from which a projectile is fired at high velocity into a relatively flat trajectory.
A cannon with a long barrel and a relatively low angle of fire.
A portable firearm, such as a rifle or revolver.
A device resembling a firearm or cannon, as in its ability to project something, such as grease, under pressure or at great speed.
A discharge of a firearm or cannon as a signal or salute.
One, such as a hunter, who carries or uses a gun.
A person skilled in the use of a gun.
A professional killer: a hired gun.
The throttle of an engine, as of an automobile.
v.
gunned, gun·ning, guns
v.
tr.
To shoot (a person): a bank robber who was gunned down by the police.
To open the throttle of (an engine) so as to accelerate: gunned the engine and sped off.
Maine To hunt (game).
v.
intr. To hunt with a gun. Phrasal Verb(s): gun for
To pursue relentlessly so as to overcome or destroy.
To go after in earnest; set out to obtain: gunning for a promotion.
Idiom(s):
go great gunsTo proceed or perform with great speed, skill, or success.
Idiom(s):
hold a gun to (someone's) headTo put pressure on someone.
Idiom(s):
under the gunUnder great pressure or under threat.
[Middle English gonne, cannon, short for Gunilda, woman's name applied to a siege engine, from Old Norse Gunnhildr, woman's name : gunnr, war; see gwhen- in Indo-European roots + hildr, war.]
in. to do very well; to go very fast. : The project is finally going great guns, just as we planned.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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(gŭn) 