son of a gun
The phrase "son of a gun" is an idiomatic expression with various uses, often employed as a milder alternative to more offensive language.
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Definition
B2General
(euphemistic, informal)An exclamation used to express surprise, admiration, or annoyance.
Example
- Son of a gun! I didn't expect to see you here.
- Well, son of a gun, you really did it!
B2Interpersonal
(affectionate, informal)A term used to refer to a person, often a man, in a familiar or affectionate manner.
Example
- You old son of a gun, how have you been?
- That son of a gun can fix anything.
B2Descriptive
(euphemistic, informal)Used to describe someone who is considered troublesome or mischievous.
Example
- That son of a gun tricked me again.
- He's a real son of a gun, always causing trouble.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "son of a gun":
son of a bitchson of a whorebig gungun forhotter than a pistolnatural son