v., shot (shŏt), shoot·ing, shoots. v.tr.
- To hit, wound, or kill with a missile fired from a weapon.
- To remove or destroy by firing or projecting a missile: shot out the window.
- To make (a hole, for example) by firing a weapon.
- To fire or let fly (a missile) from a weapon.
- To discharge (a weapon).
- To detonate or cause to explode: shot off a firecracker.
- To inject (a drug, for example) with a hypodermic syringe.
- To throw out or release (a fishing line, for example).
- To send forth suddenly, intensely, or swiftly: The burning building shot sparks onto the adjacent roof. He shot an angry look at me.
- To emit (a ray or rays of light or another form of energy).
- To utter (sounds or words) forcefully, rapidly, or suddenly: She shot a retort to the insult.
- Slang. To give, send, or hand quickly: Shoot me that stapler.
- Informal. To spend, use up, or waste: They shot their savings on a new boat.
- To pass over or through swiftly: shooting the rapids.
- To cover (country) in hunting for game.
- To record on film: shot the scene in one take.
- To cause to project or protrude; extend: shot out her arm to prevent the bottle from falling.
- To begin to grow or produce; put forth.
- To pour, empty out, or discharge down or as if down a chute: shot gravel into the hole.
- Sports & Games.
- To throw or propel (a ball, marble, or other projectile in a game) in a specific direction or toward the objective.
- To accomplish (the objective) of a game involving a projectile; score (a point, basket, or goal).
- To play (a game involving projectiles, such as golf or pool).
- To attain (a given score) in golf.
- To play (a game involving dice, especially craps).
- To throw (the dice or a given score) in craps.
- To slide (the bolt of a lock) into or out of its fastening.
- To plane (the edge of a board) straight.
- To variegate (colored cloth) by interweaving weft threads of a different color.
- To measure the altitude of with a sextant or other instrument: shot the star.
- To discharge a missile from a weapon.
- To discharge or fire; go off.
- To gush or spurt: Water shot out of the geyser.
- To appear suddenly: The sun shot through a break in the clouds.
- To move swiftly; dart.
- To be felt moving or as if moving in the body: Pain shot through my lower leg.
- To protrude; project: The headland shoots far out into the sea.
- To engage in hunting or the firing of weapons, especially for sport: is shooting in Scotland during the fall.
- To put forth new growth; germinate.
- To take pictures.
- To film a scene in a movie.
- Sports & Games. To propel a ball or other object toward the goal or in a specific direction or manner.
- Games. To throw dice.
- Slang. To begin talking. Often used in the imperative: I know you have something to tell me, so shoot!
- To slide into or out of a fastening. Used of the bolt of a lock.
- The motion or movement of something that is propelled, driven, or discharged.
- The young growth arising from a germinating seed; a sprout.
- A bud, young leaf, or other new growth on a plant.
- A narrow, swift, or turbulent section of a stream.
- The act of discharging a weapon or letting fly a missile.
- Informal. The launching of a rocket or similar missile.
- An organized shooting activity, such as a skeet tournament or hunt.
- A round of shots in a contest with firearms.
- A session in which something is photographed, filmed, or videotaped.
- The distance a shot travels; the range.
- Nautical. The interval between strokes in rowing.
- A sharp twinge or spasm of pain.
- An inclined channel for moving something; a chute.
- A body of ore in a vein.
Used to express surprise, mild annoyance, or disappointment.
phrasal verbs:shoot down
- To bring down (an aircraft, for example) by hitting and damaging with gunfire or a missile.
- Informal. To ruin the aspirations of; disappoint.
- Informal.
- To put an end to; defeat: shot down the proposal.
- To expose as false; discredit: shot down his theory.
- To strive or aim for; have as a goal.
- Informal. To grow or get taller rapidly.
- To increase dramatically in amount.
- To riddle with bullets.
- To damage or terrorize (a town, for example) by intense or random gunfire.
- Slang. To inject a drug with a hypodermic syringe.
shoot from the hip Slang.
- To act or speak on a matter without forethought.
- To speak indiscreetly.
- To brag; boast.
- To do all within one's power; exhaust all of one's resources or capabilities.
- To spend all of one's cash.
- To use up all of one's energy or resources.
- To talk or deal honestly.
- To spend time talking; talk idly.
- To expend all of one's efforts or capital.
[Middle English shoten, from Old English scēotan. Interj., alteration of SHIT.]
shooter shoot'er n.
