The Language of Gun Culture

You might recognize a few of these phrases that have taken on new meaning beyond their gun-related origin. Many things change over the course of a few centuries, but the natural right of Americans to keep and bear arms should not be one of them.

  • bang for your buck
  • big shot
  • bite the bullet
  • both barrels
  • cheap shot
  • dodge a bullet
  • flash in the pan
  • friendly fire
  • give it a shot
  • going off half-cocked
  • got you covered
  • gun to your head
  • guns blazing
  • hair trigger
  • hot shot
  • jump the gun
  • just shoot me
  • lock, stock and barrel
  • long shot
  • loose cannon
  • magic bullet
  • money shot
  • parting shot
  • pot shot
  • pull the trigger
  • quick on the draw
  • ride shotgun
  • rifle through
  • shoot blanks
  • shoot from the hip
  • shoot the breeze
  • shoot the messenger
  • shoot the moon
  • shoot your mouth off
  • shoot yourself in the foot
  • shot across the bow
  • shot down in flames
  • shot in the arm
  • shot in the dark
  • shot to hell
  • shotgun wedding
  • silver bullet
  • smoking gun
  • son of a gun
  • stick to your guns
  • straight shooter
  • trigger happy
  • under fire
  • under the gun
  • your best shot