shoot from the hip

The phrase "shoot from the hip" originates from the literal action of firing a gun from the hip without aiming, and it has evolved to describe impulsive actions or statements.

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Definition

B2General

(figurative, informal)To act or speak quickly without careful thought.

Example

  • She tends to shoot from the hip during meetings, often surprising her colleagues with her blunt comments.
  • Politicians who shoot from the hip can sometimes find themselves in trouble.

C1Firearms

(literal, technical)To fire a gun from the hip without aiming.

Example

  • In old Western movies, cowboys often shoot from the hip during quick-draw duels.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "shoot from the hip":

straight from the shouldershoot off at the mouthready, fire, aimshoot backshoot first and ask questions latershoot throughshoot offtake aimjump the gunshoot outpull the triggerfly by the seat of one's pantsrun and gunshoot one's shotsnap judgmentshot outshoot a birdplay fast and loosepot shotblaze awaystraight shooterunder the gunhootin' tootin'talk through one's haton the hopgun forfire awayshoot the moon