gun
/ɡʌn/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡʌn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgən/ (ame, mw)
gun — noun
- gunsingular
- gunsplural
1. a weapon that fires bullets or explosive shells through a metal tube, used for h
a weapon that fires bullets or explosive shells through a metal tube, used for hunting, sport shooting, or as a tool of violence
The hunter cleaned his gun carefully after each hunting trip.
collocation: clean a gun
Christopher keeps his gun in a locked safe at home.
collocation: keep a gun in a safe
The soldiers learned how to take apart and reassemble their guns in complete darkness.
A gun is not a toy — never point one at another person.
Rania, the security guard, carried a gun as part of her uniform.
用法筆記
Subject is often a person who owns, uses, or carries the weapon. In many countries, gun ownership is strictly regulated by law.
常見錯誤
2. a special pistol that fires a loud bang to give the starting signal in sports li
a special pistol that fires a loud bang to give the starting signal in sports like running races or swimming competitions
The runners waited nervously for the starter's gun to fire.
collocation: starter's gun
Élise heard the gun and began to sprint towards the first hurdle.
collocation: hear the gun
A loud gun announced the start of the eight-hundred-metre race.
The athletes stayed still until the starting gun went off.
- starting pistol
the specific handheld device used in official races to fire the starting signal
3. a handheld device that pushes a substance or a small item out through a nozzle b
a handheld device that pushes a substance or a small item out through a nozzle by applying force, for example grease, paint, or water
The mechanic used a grease gun to oil the old machine's joints.
collocation: grease gun
Andrés picked up the paint gun and sprayed the wall in even strokes.
collocation: paint gun
The gardener filled the water gun and gave the flowers a gentle mist.
Apinya used a hot glue gun to attach the decorations to the cardboard.
- spray gun
the most common alternative name; often used for painting and cleaning equipment
- nozzle gun
a specific type of spray tool with an adjustable nozzle tip
4. a person who receives money to shoot a person chosen by someone else, often as p
a person who receives money to shoot a person chosen by someone else, often as part of criminal activity
The detective believed a hired gun had been brought in from the neighbouring city.
collocation: hired gun
Two men were arrested on suspicion of working as guns for the crime syndicate.
The gang leader sent a gun to silence the witness before the trial.
The crime boss hired a gun to eliminate his business rival.
- assassin
a more formal term for a person who kills for political or financial reasons
- hitman
informal, specifically a male killer hired by a criminal organization
- killer for hire
a descriptive phrase emphasizing the commercial nature of the act
用法筆記
Commonly used in the compound 'hired gun'. This sense often appears in crime fiction, news reports, and detective stories.
常見錯誤
5. an outside specialist hired by a company to do a specific job that its own staff
an outside specialist hired by a company to do a specific job that its own staff cannot handle
The company brought in a high-priced gun to fix the failing software project.
collocation: bring in a gun
Lien worked as a gun for several start-ups that needed quick results.
When the factory had technical problems, the CEO called a gun from Germany.
The hospital brought in a gun from another city to perform the rare surgery.
- freelance specialist
neutral and formal, carries no criminal connotation
- consultant
standard business term for an outside expert brought in for advice
- contractor
a person hired on a short-term basis to complete a specific job
用法筆記
This sense extends from the hired-killer meaning. It is almost always informal and used in business or technical contexts. The compound 'hired gun' is more common than 'gun' alone for this sense.
6. an informal term for a person's arms when they are noticeably large and muscular
an informal term for a person's arms when they are noticeably large and muscular from exercise
The bodybuilder showed off his guns at the competition.
informal: show off your guns
Zola's guns were so big that the sleeves of her shirt were tight.
Look at those guns — he must spend hours at the gym every week.
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural ('guns'). Very informal — appropriate in gym talk or casual conversation, but not in formal writing.
常見錯誤
gun — verb
- gunpresent simple I / you / we / they
- guns3rd person singular
- gunning-ing form
- gunnedpast simple
1. to suddenly increase the speed of an engine or vehicle by pressing the accelerat
to suddenly increase the speed of an engine or vehicle by pressing the accelerator, in order to move forward quickly
The driver gunned the engine and the car shot forward onto the highway.
collocation: gun the engine
Takeshi gunned the motorcycle and raced down the empty road.
The captain of the boat gunned the motor to escape the approaching storm.
Aarav gunned his truck up the steep hill without slowing down.
- rev
more casual; 'rev the engine' means to increase the RPM, often while stationary
- accelerate
neutral and formal; does not imply suddenness like 'gun' does
- floor
informal; 'floor it' means to press the accelerator pedal to the maximum
- decelerate
formal; to reduce speed gradually
- brake
neutral; to slow down or stop by using the brakes
文法句型
gun + [engine / motor / car / boat]
用法筆記
Always transitive — takes a direct object (the engine, motor, or vehicle). Frequently used in action-oriented contexts: car chases, racing, emergency situations.