gun

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C] a weapon that is used for firing bullets or SHELLS: to fire a gun at sb * a toy gun * anti-aircraft guns * Look out, he's got a gun! * The attacker held a gun to the hostage's head. * a gun battle between rival gangs seealsoAIRGUN, HANDGUN, MACHINEGUN, SHOTGUN, STUNGUN, SUB-MACHINEGUN, TOMMYGUN 2 [C] a tool that uses pressure to send out a substance or an object: a staple gun seealsoSPRAYGUN 3 (the gun) [sing.] the signal to begin a race, that is made by firing a special gun, called a starting pistol, into the air 4 [C] (informal, especially AmE) a person who is paid to shoot sb: a hired gun seealsoFLASHGUN, SONOFAGUN IDIOMS hold / put a gun to sb's head to force sb to do sth that they do not want to do, by making threats moreatGREATadj., JUMPv., SPIKEv., STICKv. verb (-nn-) PHRASALVERBS be gunning for sb (informal) to be looking for an opportunity to blame or attack sb: I don't want your father gunning for me if we're back late. be gunning for sth to be competing for or trying hard to get sth: She's gunning for the top job. gun sb<->down [usuallypassive] to shoot sb, especially killing or seriously injuring them: The policeman was gunned down while on duty.