hired gun
The term "hired gun" is often used to describe someone brought in to achieve a specific goal, especially in situations requiring specialized skills or where the task might be morally questionable.
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Definition
C1Informal
(slang)A person employed to provide a specific service or expertise, often for a short-term project.
Example
- The company brought in a hired gun to manage the crisis.
- He made a career as a hired gun, solving difficult problems for various organizations.
C1Legal and Business
(informal)A professional, such as a lawyer or consultant, hired to handle a specific problem, often in a competitive or adversarial situation.
Example
- They hired a legal hired gun to handle the high-stakes lawsuit.
- As a business hired gun, she specializes in turning around failing companies.
C2Violence and Crime
(informal, slang)A person paid to engage in violent or illegal activities, such as an assassin or mercenary.
Example
- The mob boss hired a gun to eliminate his rivals.
- In the old west, hired guns were often employed to settle disputes.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "hired gun":