shoot Definition
shoot (s̸ho̵̅o̅t)
transitive verb shot, shoot′·ing
- to move swiftly over, by, across, etc. to shoot the rapids in a canoe
- to make move with great speed or sudden force to shoot an elevator upward
- to pour, empty out, or dump, as down a chute
- to throw or hurl out or forth volcanoes shooting molten rock into the air
- to cast (an anchor, fish net, etc.)
- ☆ to throw away or spoil (an opportunity, chance, etc.)
- Informal to use up or waste (time, money, etc.)
- to slide (a door bolt) into or out of its fastening
- to variegate, streak, fleck, etc. (with another color or substance) a blue sky shot with white clouds
- to vary (with something different) a story shot with humor
- to thrust out suddenly snakes shooting out their tongues
- to put forth (a branch, leaves, etc.)
- to send forth (a missile or projectile); discharge or fire (a bullet, arrow, etc.)
- to discharge or emit (rays) with force
- to send forth (a question, reply, glance, fist, etc.) swiftly, suddenly, or with force or feeling
- to discharge or fire (a gun, bow, charge of explosive, etc.)
- to hit, wound, kill, or destroy with a bullet, arrow, etc.
- to make by firing a bullet to shoot a hole in a door
- to hunt game in or on (a tract of land)
- to take the altitude of (a star) with a transit, sextant, etc.
- to take a picture of with a camera; photograph; film
- to photograph
- to inject (a narcotic drug, etc.) intravenously
- to plane (the edge of a board) straight
- ☆ Slang to send, hand, or give in a swift or hasty way
- Games, Sports
- to hit, kick, throw, drive, or propel (a ball, marble, etc.) toward the objective
- ☆ to roll (dice)
- to make or score (a goal, points, total strokes, etc.)
- to play (golf, pool, craps, etc.)
- to make (a specified bet), as in craps
Etymology: ME shoten < OE sceotan, akin to ON skjōta, Ger schiessen < IE base *(s)keud-, to throw, shoot > shut, OSlav is-kydati, to throw out
intransitive verb
- to move swiftly; rush; dart a cat shot out of the room
- to spurt or gush water shot from the hose
- to be felt suddenly and keenly pain shot through his arm
- to grow or sprout, esp. rapidly
- to jut out; project
- to send forth a missile or projectile; discharge bullets, arrows, etc.; go off; fire
- to use guns, bows and arrows, etc., as in hunting
- to have skill in using a gun, etc.
- ☆
- to photograph a scene or subject
- to start the cameras working in photographing a scene or film ()
- Sports
- to propel a ball, etc. toward the objective
- to roll dice
noun
- the act of shooting
- a shooting trip, party, or contest a turkey shoot
- a round of shots in a shooting contest
- the action of growing or sprouting
- a new growth; sprout or twig
- action or motion like that of something shot, as of water from a hose
- the launching of a rocket, guided missile, etc.
- ☆ a sloping trough or channel; chute
- a body of ore in a vein, usually elongated and vertical or steeply inclined
- a twinge or spasm of pain
- a period of photographing or filming, esp. away from the studio a fashion shoot, a three-month shoot in Rome
- ☆
Etymology: euphemism for shit
used to express anger, disgust, disappointment, etc. - used to tell a person to begin talking OK, now I'm ready—shoot!
shoot Idioms
shoot at
or shoot forInformal to try to reach, gain, or accomplish; strive for
shoot down
- to bring down by hitting with a shot or shots
- Informal to destroy, reject, etc., esp. forcefully
shoot from the hip
to act or talk in a rash, impetuous way
shoot oneself in the foot
☆Slang to hurt inadvertently oneself or one's own interests or chances for success
shoot off one's mouth
or shoot off at the mouth☆ Slang- to speak without caution or discretion; blab
- to boast; brag
shoot up
- to grow or rise rapidly
- to hit with several or many shots
- ☆ Informal to spread terror and destruction throughout by lawless and wanton shooting
- ☆ Slang to inject a narcotic drug, esp. heroin, intravenously
shoot Synonyms
shoot
v.
shoot Usage Examples
Object
- messenger: Please don't shoot the messenger - we're only passing on our visitors ' advice!
- arrow: Like he's been shooting arrows into the dark, hoping for the occasional yelp when the odd dart finds its target.
- footage: Audio and video restoration tools Fix poorly shot footage using Studio's new cleaning and restoration tools.
Preposition: on
videotape: The Christmas special was the first GH episode shot entirely on videotape; Harriet returned to regular Grange Hill in 1987.
Subject
- sniper: During the day, Cyril was shot by a German sniper, the only member of the Battalion to be killed that day.
- marksman: Delicious Venison Our wild venison is shot by expert marksmen ( and women ) in Somerset and Hampshire.
- gunman: This was most timely when just last week eight people were shot by gunmen with automatic weapons outside a South London nightspot.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- down: Then, in March 1942, Bill was shot down over the Pas de Calais.
- through: Infectious, ridiculously danceable and shot through with sparkling sequins shimmering in the cities ' moonlit glow.
Adjective complement
dead: The boy was shot dead by a security officer who had no charges brought against him.
Noun used with modifier
photo: The four-day photo shoot lined up for October has been planned out this week.
Possessives
em: Shoot those evil rats in this great side-scrolling shoot ' em up.
Preposition: at
dawn: He was shot at dawn on September 20, 1917. he had just turned 17.
Present participle complement
peen: In particular, shot peening has developed into a sophisticated process, with automation, computerized control, and highly reproducible properties.
Preposition: from
hip: Take off your helmet, and hold the lamp away from your eyes, shooting from the hip as it were.
Preposition: with
rifle: He started shooting with a rifle when he was 12 before graduating to shotguns at 17.
Preposition: for
cowardice: He is calling for a pardon for those men who were shot for cowardice, for desertion, for being shell-shocked.
Preposition: by
- sniper: During the day, Cyril was shot by a German sniper, the only member of the Battalion to be killed that day.
- marksman: Humane trapping, shooting by a competent marksman ), to be humane and which do not require the use of a hound pack.
- gunman: This was most timely when just last week eight people were shot by gunmen with automatic weapons outside a South London nightspot.

