under the gun

un·der the gun

U u

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [uhn-der stressed th ee guhn]
- /ˈʌn dər stressed ði gʌn/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [uhn-der stressed th ee guhn]
- /ˈʌn dər stressed ði gʌn/

Definitions of under the gun words

noun under the gun a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance. 1
noun under the gun any portable firearm, as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver. 1
noun under the gun a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory. 1
noun under the gun any device for shooting something under pressure: a paint gun; a staple gun. 1
noun under the gun Slang. a person whose profession is killing; professional killer: a gangland gun. 1
noun under the gun British. a member of a shooting party. 1

See all 18 definitions of under the gun

Information block about the term

Origin of under the gun

First appearance:

before 1300

One of the 15% oldest English words

1300-50; Middle English gunne, gonne, apparently short for Anglo-Latin Gunilda, gonnyld, name for engine of war; compare Old Norse Gunna, short for Gunnhildr woman's name

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Under the gun

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Under the gun

under the gun popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

under the gun usage trend in Literature

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