1 [with object] kill or wound (a person or animal) with a bullet or arrow:he was shot in the leg during an armed robbery [with object and complement]:troops shot dead 29 people
[no object] fire a bullet from a gun or discharge an arrow from a bow:he shot at me twicethe troops were ordered to shoot to kill [with object]:they shot a volley of arrows into the village
cause (a gun) to fire.
damage or remove (something) with a bullet or missile:Guy, shoot their hats off
[no object] hunt game with a gun:we go to Scotland to shoot every autumn
[no object] (shoot over) shoot game over (an estate or other area of countryside).
shoot game in or on (an estate, cover, etc.).
2 [no object] move suddenly and rapidly in a particular direction:the car shot forwardWard’s hand shot out, grabbing his arm
[with object] cause to move suddenly and rapidly in a particular direction:he would have fallen if Marc hadn’t shot out a hand to stop himBeauchamp shot United into the lead
[with object] direct (a glance, question, or remark) at someone: [with two objects]:Luke shot her a quick glance [with direct speech]:“I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” she shot back
used to invite a comment or question:“May I just ask you one more question?” “Shoot.”
(of a pain) move with a sharp stabbing sensation:Claudia felt a shaft of pain shoot through her chest figurativea pang of regret shot through her
[with object] (of a boat) sweep swiftly down or under (rapids, a waterfall, or a bridge).
[with object] informal (of a motor vehicle) pass (a traffic light at red).
extend sharply in a particular direction:a road that seemed to just shoot upward at a terrifying angle
[with object] move (a door bolt) to fasten or unfasten a door.
3 [no object] (in soccer, hockey, basketball, etc.) kick, hit, or throw the ball or puck in an attempt to score a goal:Williams twice shot wide [with object]:after school, we’d go straight out in the alley to shoot baskets
[with object] informal make (a specified score) for a round of golf:in the second round he shot a 65
[with object]North American informal play a game of (pool or dice).
4 [with object] film or photograph (a scene, film, etc.):she has just been commissioned to shoot a video [no object]:point the camera and just shoot—nothing could be easier
5 [no object] (of a plant or seed) send out buds or shoots; germinate.
(of a bud or shoot) appear; sprout.
6 [with object] informal inject oneself or another person with (a narcotic drug):he shot dope into his arm
7 [with object] plane (the edge of a board) accurately.
noun
1a young branch or sucker springing from the main stock of a tree or other plant:he nipped off the new shoots that grew where the leaves joined the stems
2an occasion when a group of people hunt and shoot game for sport:a grouse shoot
British land used for shooting game.
a shooting match or contest:activities include a weekly rifle shoot
3an occasion when a professional photographer takes photographs or when a film or video is being made:a photo shoota fashion shoot
North American informal have a casual conversation.
shoot one's cuffs
pull one’s shirt cuffs out to project beyond the cuffs of one’s jacket or coat.
shoot from the hip
informal react suddenly or without careful consideration of one’s words or actions.
shoot oneself in the foot
informal inadvertently make a situation worse for oneself.
shoot it out
informal engage in a decisive confrontation, typically a gun battle.
shoot a line
British informal describe something in an exaggerated, untruthful, or boastful way:he never shot a line about his escapades
shoot one's mouth off
informal talk boastfully or indiscreetly.
Phrasal Verbs
shoot someone/something down
bring down an aircraft or missile by shooting at it:their helicopter was shot down by an air-to-air missile
kill or wound someone by shooting them, especially in a ruthless way:troops shot down 28 demonstrators
crush someone or their opinions by forceful criticism or argument:she tried to argue and got shot down in flames for her trouble
shoot through
Australian/New Zealand informal leave, typically to escape from or avoid someone or something:me wife’s shot through and I can’t pay the rent
[1940s: from shoot through like a Bondi tram (Bondi being the name of a Sydney suburb)]
shoot up
1(especially of a child) grow taller rapidly:when she hit thirteen she shot up to a startling 5 foot 9
(of a price or amount) rise suddenly.
2see below.
shoot someone/something up
1cause great damage to something by shooting; kill or wound someone by shooting:the police shot up our building
2 (also shoot up) informal inject a narcotic drug; inject someone with a narcotic drug:she went home and shot up alone in her roomI was shooting up cocaineshoot people up with the new chemical and see what happens
Derivatives
shootable
adjective
Origin:
Old Englishscēotan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch scieten and German schiessen, also to sheet1, shot1, and shut
