shoots
shoots — verb
- shootspresent simple I / you / we / they
- shootses3rd person singular
- shootsing-ing form
- shootsedpast simple
1. to cause a bullet to leave a gun or an arrow to leave a bow, or to strike someon
to cause a bullet to leave a gun or an arrow to leave a bow, or to strike someone or something with a projectile fired from a weapon.
Andrés raised his rifle and shot at the target from fifty metres away.
shoot + at + target (emphasises the action, not the result)
The hunter shot a deer in the forest during the early morning mist.
Bilal was shot in the leg during the armed robbery last Tuesday night.
passive: be + shot + in + body part
Kofi picked up his bow and shot an arrow straight through the wooden target.
Police officers shot the rabid dog to protect the people in the neighbourhood.
- shoot at something
- shoot someone/something
- shoot a gun/rifle/bow
- get shot
Grammar Patterns
shoot + at + target
shoot + object (person/animal)
Usage Note
When used intransitively with 'at', the focus is on the act of firing rather than whether the target was hit. The past tense and past participle are both 'shot', not 'shooted'.
Common Mistakes
2. to aim and send a ball toward the scoring area of a sports field, hoping to gain
to aim and send a ball toward the scoring area of a sports field, hoping to gain points for your team.
Mauricio shot the ball into the top corner of the net to score the winning goal.
shoot + the ball + into + net (football)
Owen turned quickly and shot, but the goalkeeper caught the ball easily.
Anjali caught the pass and shot from outside the three-point line without hesitation.
shoot + from + location (basketball)
Astrid had one chance to shoot at the goal in the final minute of the match.
Ilan shot the puck across the ice and watched it hit the goalpost with a loud clang.
- shoot at goal
- shoot the ball
- shoot and score
- shoot on target
- kick
specific to football; you kick the ball, not the goal
- take a shot
a phrasal alternative that can be used across many sports
Grammar Patterns
shoot + at + goal
shoot + the ball/puck
shoot + to score
Usage Note
In football and hockey, 'shoot' is often intransitive ('he shot and scored'); in basketball it can be transitive ('shoot the ball'). The object is always the ball or puck, never the goal itself.
Common Mistakes
3. to spend time playing basketball, either in a formal game or in casual practice.
to spend time playing basketball, either in a formal game or in casual practice.
Rin and her teammates shoot hoops every Saturday at the local community centre.
collocation: shoot hoops (informal fixed phrase)
Pim was shooting around in the school gym when the basketball coach walked in.
The kids were shooting hoops in the driveway until their mother called them inside.
After class, Dylan and his friends like to shoot around at the park near the campus.
- shoot hoops
- shoot around
- shoot some baskets
- play basketball
more general and can refer to formal games as well as casual play
Grammar Patterns
shoot hoop (informal)
shoot around
Usage Note
This sense is almost entirely informal. The phrase 'shoot hoops' is a fixed expression used for casual basketball play, while 'shoot around' describes informal practice without a full game.
Common Mistakes
4. to travel rapidly and forcefully along a certain path, often with a sudden burst
to travel rapidly and forcefully along a certain path, often with a sudden burst of motion, or to go past, through, across, or under something at high speed.
A rabbit shot out of the bushes and crossed the road in front of the car.
shoot + out of (sudden movement from a container/space)
Flames shot up from the burning building into the dark night sky.
A speedboat shot past the dock leaving a trail of white foam behind it.
shoot + past + object (passing a reference point)
The train shot through the tunnel with a loud roar that echoed for miles.
A falling star shot across the sky and disappeared behind the distant hills.
- shoot out of
- shoot up
- shoot past
- shoot through
- shoot across
- shoot under
Grammar Patterns
shoot + directional adverb (down/up/out/along/past/through/under)
Usage Note
Commonly used with directional prepositions or adverbs (out of, past, through, up, down, across, under) that indicate the path of movement. There are two common sub-patterns: (a) sudden emergence from a source or container ('shot out of', 'shot up from'), and (b) passing a specific reference point ('shot past', 'shot through', 'shot across'). The subject is often a vehicle, liquid, flame, animal, or celestial object.
5. to take a photograph or record a film or video of someone or something using a c
to take a photograph or record a film or video of someone or something using a camera.
The photographer shot the wedding ceremony from the balcony of the church.
shoot + event (photography)
Niran shot the entire documentary on his phone during his trip to Kenya.
The director decided to shoot the final scene in black and white for artistic effect.
shoot + scene/film (cinematography)
We spent the whole afternoon shooting photos of the harbour at sunset.
Pim shot a short video of the street musicians and posted it online the next day.
- shoot a film/scene
- shoot photos
- shoot a documentary
- shoot on location
- take a photo
more general and slightly more casual; works for still photography only
- film
specifically for moving images, not still photos
Grammar Patterns
shoot + object (scene/person/documentary)
shoot + on + medium
Usage Note
Common in both professional and casual contexts. 'Shoot a film/movie/documentary' is standard in the film industry; 'shoot photos/pictures/video' is used more generally.
Common Mistakes
6. to take part in games such as pool (billiards) or craps (a dice game), especiall
to take part in games such as pool (billiards) or craps (a dice game), especially in an informal social setting
Kenji and Felix shot pool every Friday night at the bar near campus.
collocation: shoot pool
The old movie showed a group of soldiers shooting craps in the back room.
collocation: shoot craps
Mira learned to shoot pool from her grandfather when she was twelve.
After work, Pedro shot a few games of pool with his coworkers.
- shoot pool
- shoot craps
- shoot billiards
- shoot dice
Grammar Patterns
shoot + [game name]
shoot + [dice]
Usage Note
The object must name the game (pool, craps, billiards), not the equipment. 'Shoot pool' and 'shoot craps' are fixed expressions.
Common Mistakes
7. to inject an illegal substance such as heroin directly into a vein, typically as
to inject an illegal substance such as heroin directly into a vein, typically as part of a drug habit
The documentary showed the serious dangers of shooting heroin without clean needles.
collocation: shoot heroin
Samir's older brother started shooting up when he was just a teenager.
phrasal verb: shoot up = inject drugs regularly
After years of addiction, Kenji finally decided to stop shooting heroin and entered a rehab centre.
The social worker tried hard to persuade the young man to stop shooting up.
- shoot heroin
- shoot up
- shoot drugs
- shoot smack
Grammar Patterns
shoot + [drug]
shoot up
Usage Note
This sense is slang and carries strong social stigma. It is distinct from the neutral medical sense 11. The phrasal form 'shoot up' is common and means to inject drugs regularly.
Common Mistakes
8. to say words or make sounds very quickly, suddenly, or with strong emotion, ofte
to say words or make sounds very quickly, suddenly, or with strong emotion, often in a way that surprises or pressures another person
The reporter shot questions at the mayor before he could reach his car.
pattern: shoot questions at [person]
Chiara shot a look at her brother that told him to keep quiet.
idiomatic: shoot a look = give a quick meaningful glance
Emre shot back a reply without thinking, and immediately regretted it.
pattern: shoot back [speech] = reply quickly
"That is absolutely not true!" Eshe shot at him across the table.
- shoot questions at
- shoot a look
- shoot back
- shoot a glance
Grammar Patterns
shoot + [words/questions] + at + [person]
shoot + back + [speech]
Usage Note
Often used with direction words: 'shoot at' (to direct words at someone forcefully), 'shoot back' (to reply quickly and sharply). 'Shoot a look' is a fixed collocation meaning to give a quick, meaningful glance.
Common Mistakes
9. (of a plant) to produce new stems, leaves, or buds as part of its natural growth
(of a plant) to produce new stems, leaves, or buds as part of its natural growth process
The rose bushes began to shoot after the spring rains finally arrived.
The bamboo in Talia's garden shot up rapidly after the spring rain.
pattern: shoot up = grow tall fast (verb usage)
The old apple tree shot out fresh branches after we trimmed it carefully.
pattern: shoot out [plant parts]
Kenji's tomato plants shot up quickly in the warm summer weather.
pattern: shoot up = grow tall fast
The bulbs shot green leaves out of the soil just weeks after being planted.
- shoot up
- shoot out
- shoot forth
- shoot new leaves
- shoot stems
Grammar Patterns
shoot + adverb (out, up, forth)
Usage Note
Shoot (verb) describes the action of producing growth; shoot (noun) describes the new growth itself. 'Shoot up' emphasises rapid upward growth, especially of young plants after a period of dormancy.
Common Mistakes
10. to move quickly through a part of the body as a sharp, sudden feeling of pain
to move quickly through a part of the body as a sharp, sudden feeling of pain
A sharp pain shot through Renata's knee when she stood up from the chair.
pattern: pain shoots through [body part]
Every time Ziad moved his arm, pain shot down from his injured shoulder.
pattern: pain shoots down from [place]
The dentist warned that a sudden ache might shoot through her tooth after the filling.
Pain suddenly shot up Quan's leg after he twisted his ankle on the stairs.
pattern: pain shoots up [body part]
- pain shoots through
- pain shoots down
- pain shoots up
- sudden pain shoots
- sharp pain shoots
Grammar Patterns
pain + shoots + through/down/up + [body part]
Usage Note
The subject is always the pain sensation itself, not the body part. The pain 'shoots' in a direction (through, down, up). Not used for dull, continuous aches or headaches.
Common Mistakes
11. to inject a liquid into a person, animal, or object using a needle and syringe,
to inject a liquid into a person, animal, or object using a needle and syringe, without implying illegal drug use
The vet shot a vaccine into the puppy's shoulder muscle during the check-up.
pattern: shoot [substance] into [recipient]
The nurse shot saline solution into the IV line connected to Mark's arm.
Technicians shot coloured dye into the pipeline to check for hidden leaks.
non-medical use: shoot dye into a pipe
Kevin shot a dose of insulin into his thigh before breakfast every morning.
- shoot into
- shoot a vaccine
- shoot insulin
- shoot dye
- shoot fluid
- inject
more formal and clinical; 'shoot' is the everyday alternative
- administer
very formal, medical register
Grammar Patterns
shoot + [substance] + into + [person/object]
Usage Note
Less formal than 'inject' but neutral in tone — not slang like sense 7. The focus is on the mechanical action of forcing liquid through a needle. Common in medical contexts and industrial testing.
Common Mistakes
shoots — noun
- shootssingular
- shootsesplural
1. a young stem that a seed pushes up from the soil once it starts to grow, or any
a young stem that a seed pushes up from the soil once it starts to grow, or any new branch that sprouts from an existing plant.
Amara noticed tiny green shoots poking through the soil a week after planting the seeds.
collocation: tiny green shoots
The rose bush produced several new shoots after the gardener cut back the old branches.
collocation: produce / send out new shoots
Bamboo shoots are a common ingredient in many Asian soups and stir-fry dishes.
Wei carefully removed the damaged shoots from the pepper plant to help it grow stronger.
Each spring, fresh green shoots appear all along the hedge in the back garden.
- new shoots
- green shoots
- tender shoots
- bamboo shoots
- produce shoots
- send out shoots
- root
roots grow underground; shoots grow above ground
Grammar Patterns
plural: shoots
bamboo shoots / plant shoots
Usage Note
Shoots can refer to the first growth from a seed (seedling shoots) or to new growth from a mature plant (side shoots). 'Bamboo shoots' is a fixed expression referring to the edible young stems of bamboo.
Common Mistakes
2. an organised event where a photographer takes a series of pictures of someone or
an organised event where a photographer takes a series of pictures of someone or something, usually at the same location and for a specific purpose.
The magazine arranged a photo shoot at the beach with the model and two stylists.
collocation: photo shoot
Elena arrived at the studio early to prepare her makeup before the fashion shoot began.
The film shoot for the new advertisement lasted three days in the old warehouse.
collocation: film shoot
Omar hired a professional photographer for the product shoot of his new coffee line.
Rain forced the outdoor fashion shoot to move inside a historic hotel lobby.
- photo shoot
- fashion shoot
- film shoot
- product shoot
- wedding shoot
- session
more general term; 'shoot' specifically suggests photography or filming
- photography session
more formal than 'shoot'
Grammar Patterns
a photo shoot / a fashion shoot / a film shoot
Usage Note
Often modified by the type of photography: 'fashion shoot', 'product shoot', 'wedding shoot'. The related verb sense (sense 5 of verb) uses 'shoot' to mean 'to take photographs or film'.
Common Mistakes
3. an organised outdoor event where several people spend time together hunting bird
an organised outdoor event where several people spend time together hunting birds or other animals, often as a sport or traditional activity.
The duke invited his guests to a pheasant shoot on his estate in the countryside.
collocation: pheasant shoot / grouse shoot
Every November, the village holds a charity shoot to raise money for the local school.
Deepak joined a weekend shoot organised by the hunting club in the Scottish highlands.
The landowner charges a fee for companies that want to hold commercial shoots on his land.
Protesters stood outside the estate to voice their opposition to the annual fox shoot.
- pheasant shoot
- grouse shoot
- charity shoot
- commercial shoot
- game shoot
- go on a shoot
- hunt
more general; 'shoot' often implies shooting birds rather than tracking larger animals
Grammar Patterns
a shoot + [location]
go on a shoot
Usage Note
This sense is more common in British English and typically refers to organised hunting of game birds (pheasants, grouse, partridges) on private rural estates. It differs from sense 1 of the verb 'shoot' (firing a weapon) in that it refers to the whole event rather than the act of firing.
Common Mistakes
shoots — exclamation
1. an informal word you say to let someone know they can start talking, asking a qu
an informal word you say to let someone know they can start talking, asking a question, or saying what is on their mind.
Ari kept opening his mouth and closing it, so Wren said, "Shoots! I can see you have something to say."
used when someone hesitates to speak
"Can I ask you a personal question?" "Sure, shoots! What do you want to know?"
reply giving permission to ask a question
The manager nodded at Felipe during the meeting and said, "Shoots! Tell us your idea."
used in a work meeting to invite input
"So you have a complaint about the service? Shoots! I am listening."
Hui looked nervous, so Piotr smiled and said, "Shoots! We are listening."
Grammar Patterns
used as an imperative to invite someone to speak
Usage Note
This exclamation is used in informal conversation to encourage someone who seems hesitant or who has signalled that they want to say something. It is rarely written in formal texts.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
「shoot」的核心概念是「快速、有力地發出或移動」，由此衍生出動詞、名詞、感嘆詞等多個詞義。動詞方面，從發射子彈（verb/1）延伸到運動中射門（verb/2）、拍照（verb/5），再到疼痛蔓延（verb/10）和植物長芽（verb/9），都保留了「突然、快速」的語感。名詞方面，嫩芽（noun/1）是植物生長動作的具體結果；photo shoot（noun/2）是拍攝行為制度化的活動名稱；pheasant shoot（noun/3）則回到原始的狩獵活動。感嘆詞「Shoots!」為口語用法，字面意義已淡化，純粹用來鼓勵對方開口。這些詞義看似差異大，但都源自同一核心意象：事物在短時間內被發出或移動。
Common collocations
Nouns
- shoot a gun/rifle/bow
- shoot a ball/puck
- shoot a photo/film
- shoot pool/craps
- shoot heroin
- photo shoot
- fashion shoot
- film shoot
- bamboo shoots
- pheasant shoot
Adverbs
- shoot straight
- shoot accurately
- shoot quickly
- shoot wildly
Phrases
- shoot the breeze (chat casually)
- shoot the works (spend everything)
- shoot from the hip (act/speak impulsively)
- shoot oneself in the foot (harm one's own cause)
Prepositions
- shoot at
- shoot into
- shoot through
- shoot past
- shoot down
- shoot up
- shoot out of
Etymology
The verb 'shoot' comes from Old English scēotan 'to discharge missiles, to move swiftly forward,' from Proto-Germanic *skeutaną, which also gave German schießen, Dutch schieten, and Old Norse skjóta. The ultimate root is Proto-Indo-European *skeud- ('to shoot, to chase, to throw'). The noun sense referring to new plant growth (noun/1) developed from the verb sense 'to sprout' (verb/9). The 'photography session' sense (noun/2) extends the verb meaning 'to take pictures' (verb/5), using the same metaphor of 'firing' a camera. The informal exclamation 'Shoots!' (go ahead) is a modern spoken shortening influenced by Hawaiian Pidgin English, where it means 'go ahead' or 'okay.'
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1) Noun