crack shot

IPA/kɹˈak ʃˈɒt/
IPA/kɹˈæk ʃˈɑːt/

crack shot — noun

1. someone whose ability with a firearm is so accurate that they almost never miss

1.nounB2
Definition

someone whose ability with a firearm is so accurate that they almost never miss what they aim at

Example

Nikhil's grandmother was a crack shot who won several marksmanship awards in her youth.

pattern: be a crack shot; past tense

The competition organisers hired a crack shot to demonstrate long-distance target shooting.

Common collocations
  • a crack shot
  • be a crack shot
  • known as a crack shot
  • prove oneself a crack shot
Synonyms
  • sharpshooter

    more formal; often used in military or law enforcement contexts

  • marksman

    gender-neutral term for a skilled shooter; used in competitive shooting

  • sniper

    one who shoots from a concealed position; more specific and often military

Antonyms
  • novice

    a beginner who lacks shooting skill

Grammar Patterns

be a crack shot

known as a crack shot

Usage Note

Frequently used in the patterns 'be a crack shot' or 'known as a crack shot'. The adjective 'crack' here means 'excellent, first-rate' and is unrelated to the verb meaning 'to break'.

Common Mistakes

He is a crack shooter.
He is a crack shot.
'crack shot' is a fixed noun phrase; do not replace 'shot' with 'shooter'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to someone skilled with a firearm, but they differ in scope and context. 'Crack shot' is the most informal and general — it describes anyone who shoots accurately, from a hunter to a soldier. 'Sharpshooter' is more formal and often appears in military or law enforcement writing, where precision under pressure is emphasised. 'Marksman' is the standard term in competitive shooting sports and tends to be gender-neutral. 'Sniper' is the most specific: it refers to a soldier who shoots from a concealed position at long range, often as part of a deliberate military operation. For everyday praise of a skilled hunter or range shooter, 'crack shot' is the natural choice; for a formal police report, 'sharpshooter' fits better.

crack shot ↗sharpshootermarksman ↗sniper ↗

Etymology

English

The word 'crack' has been used since the 1700s to mean 'excellent' or 'first-rate', possibly from the idea of a sharp, impressive sound — the crack of a whip or a gunshot. A 'crack shot' therefore originally meant 'an excellent shot', referring to a person whose shooting is of the highest quality.