- 1[intransitive, transitive] to fire a gun or other weapon; to fire something from a weapon Don't shoot—I surrender. a serious shooting incident shoot (something) (at somebody/something) troops shooting at the enemy The police rarely shoot to kill (= try to kill the people they shoot at). shoot something (from something) He shot an arrow from his bow. They shot the lock off (= removed it by shooting). Topic CollocationsWar and Peacestarting a war
- declare/wage war (on somebody/something)
- go to war (against/with somebody)
- cause/spark/provoke/foment/quell unrest
- incite/lead/crush/suppress a revolt/rebellion
- launch/mount/carry out a surprise/terrorist attack
- prevent/halt/represent an escalation of the conflict
- be torn apart by/be on the brink of civil war
- enter/invade/occupy somebody's territory
- lead/launch/resist/repel an invasion
- adopt/develop/implement/pursue a military strategy
- carry out/execute/perform military operations/maneuvers
- send/deploy/station/pull back/withdraw troops
- go on/fly/carry out a reconnaissance/rescue mission
- train/equip/deploy army/military/combat units
- lead/launch/conduct an (air/airborne/amphibious) attack/a surprise attack (on somebody); an assault/a raid (on somebody)
- employ/use guerrilla tactics
- conduct/wage biological/guerrilla warfare
- fight/crush/defeat the rebels/the insurgency
- suffer/inflict a crushing defeat
- achieve/win a decisive victory
- halt/stop the American/German advance
- order/force a retreat
- join/serve in the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines/Coast Guard/reserves
- be/go/remain/serve on active duty
- do/complete/return from a tour of duty
- be sent to the front (line)
- attack/strike/engage/defeat/kill/destroy the enemy
- witness/see/report/be engaged in heavy fighting
- call for/be met with armed resistance
- come under heavy/machine-gun/mortar fire
- fire a machine gun/mortar shells/rockets (at somebody/something)
- shoot a rifle/a pistol/bullets/missiles
- launch/fire a(n) cruise/ballistic/anti-tank missile
- use biological/chemical/nuclear weapons
- inflict/suffer/sustain heavy losses/casualties
- be hit/killed by enemy/friendly/artillery fire
- become/be held as/be taken as a prisoner of war
- harm/kill/target/protect innocent/unarmed civilians
- cause/avoid/limit/minimize civilian casualties/collateral damage
- impose/enforce/lift a curfew
- engage in/be a victim of ethnic cleansing
- be sent to a concentration/an internment camp
- accept/house/resettle/turn away refugees fleeing from war
- fear/threaten military/violent reprisals
- commit/be accused of war crimes/crimes against humanity/genocide
- make/bring/win/achieve/maintain/promote peace
- call for/negotiate/broker/declare a ceasefire/a temporary truce
- sign a ceasefire agreement
- call for/bring/put an end to hostilities
- demand/negotiate/accept the surrender of somebody/something
- establish/send (in) a peacekeeping force
- negotiate/conclude/ratify/sign/accept/reject/break/violate a peace treaty
- 2[transitive] to kill or wound a person or an animal with a bullet, etc. shoot somebody/something/yourself A man was shot in the leg. He shot himself during an episode of depression. The guards were ordered to shoot on sight anyone trying to escape. shoot somebody/something + adj. Three people were shot dead during the robbery.
- 3[transitive, intransitive] shoot (something) (of a gun or other weapon) to fire bullets, etc. This is just a toy gun—it doesn't shoot real bullets. for sport
- 4[transitive, intransitive] shoot (something) to hunt and kill birds and animals with a gun as a sport to shoot pheasants They go shooting in Idaho. move quickly
- 5[intransitive, transitive] to move suddenly or quickly in one direction; to make someone or something move in this way + adv./prep. A plane shot across the sky. His hand shot out to grab her. Flames were shooting up through the roof. (figurative) The band's last single shot straight to number one on the charts. shoot something + adv./prep. He shot out his hand to grab her. of pain
- 6[intransitive] to move suddenly and quickly and be very sharp a shooting pain in the back + adv./prep. The pain shot up her arm. direct at someone
- 7[transitive, no passive] to direct something at someone 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.
- 8[intransitive, transitive] to make a movie or photograph of something Cameras ready? OK, shoot! shoot something (+ adv./prep.) Where was the movie shot? The movie was shot in black and white. in sports
- 9[intransitive, transitive] (in basketball, hockey, soccer, etc.) to try to kick, hit, or throw the ball into a goal or to score a point shoot (at something) He should have shot instead of passing. shoot something After school we'd be on the driveway shooting baskets (= playing basketball).
- 10[transitive] shoot something (informal) (in golf) to make a particular score in a complete round or competition She shot a 75 in the first round. play game
- 11[transitive] shoot something to play particular games to shoot pool Idioms
- 1to talk with too much pride about something
- 2to talk about something that is private or secret
verb jump to other results
NAmE//ʃut//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they shoot he / she / it shoots
past simple shot
-ing form shooting
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 have used all your power, money, or supplies
to have a conversation in an informal way synonym chat We sat around in the bar, shooting the breeze.
to react quickly without thinking carefully first
to fight against someone with guns, especially until one side is killed or defeated The gang decided to shoot it out with the police. related noun shoot-out
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 go in a boat over part of a river where the water flows very fast
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 Phrasal Verbsshoot downshoot forshoot offshoot up
Check pronunciation: shoot