📒 to fire a gun or other weapon; to fire something from a weapon
- Don't shoot—I surrender.
- The police rarely shoot to kill (= try to kill the people they shoot at).
- The soldiers were given orders to shoot on sight (= as soon as they saw somebody).
📒 to kill or wound a person or an animal with a bullet, etc.
- shoot somebody/something/yourself He shot himself during a fit of depression.
- shoot somebody/something/yourself in something He was left brain-damaged after being shot in the head.
- They were shot in the back while trying to escape.
📒 to fire bullets, etc.
- Does this gun actually shoot?
- shoot something This is just a toy gun—it doesn't shoot real bullets.
📒 to hunt and kill birds and animals with a gun as a sport
- to shoot pheasants
- They go shooting in Scotland.
📒 to make a film or photograph of something
- Cameras ready? OK, shoot!
- shoot something to shoot a film/video/scene
- The film crew returned to the area to shoot more footage.
📒 to move suddenly or quickly in one direction; to make somebody/something move in this way
- + adv./prep. A plane shot across the sky.
- Her hand shot out to grab my wrist.
- Flames were shooting up through the roof.
📒 to move suddenly and quickly and be very sharp
- a shooting pain in the back
- + adv./prep. The pain shot up her arm.
📒 to direct something at somebody suddenly or quickly
- shoot something at somebody Journalists were shooting questions at the candidates.
- She shot an angry glance at him.
- shoot somebody something She shot him an angry glance.
📒 to try to kick, hit or throw the ball into a goal or to score a point
- He should have shot instead of passing.
- Marta shot wide (= missed the goal), but scored minutes later.
- (especially North American English) shoot something After school we'd be on the driveway shooting hoops (= playing basketball).
📒 to make a particular score in a complete round or competition
- She shot a 75 in the first round.
📒 to play particular games
📒 used to emphasize how easy it is to do something
- What do you mean you can't do it? It'll be like shooting fish in a barrel!
📒 to look at somebody in a way that shows you are annoyed with them
📒 to have used all your power, money or supplies
📒 to have a conversation in an informal way
- We sat around in the bar, shooting the breeze.
📒 to react quickly without thinking carefully first
📒 to fight against somebody with guns, especially until one side is killed or defeated
- The gang decided to shoot it out with the police.
📒 to blame the person who gives the news that something bad has happened, instead of the person who is really responsible
- Don't shoot the messenger!
📒 to talk about something in a way that shows that you are too proud of it
📒 to talk about something that is private or secret
📒 to go in a boat over part of a river where the water flows very fast
📒 to suddenly become famous, especially as a singer or actor
- He shot to fame almost overnight.
- She shot to stardom in a Broadway musical.
📒 to do or say something that will cause you a lot of trouble or harm, especially when you are trying to get an advantage for yourself