pistol
gb/pˈɪstəl/ us/pˈɪstəl/
B1
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
A small gun for one hand
A small gun you can hold and use with one hand.
Usage pattern:
to fire/shoot [a pistol]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pistol' with 'rifle' or 'gun'. A 'pistol' is always small and used with one hand; 'rifle' is larger and used with two hands.
Synonyms
handgun (A general term for any small firearm held in one hand, including pistols and revolvers.)
|
sidearm (Often used for a pistol carried by military or police as part of their standard equipment.)
Antonyms
rifle (A long-barreled firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, opposite in form to a pistol.)
Collocations
load a pistol
|draw a pistol
|fire a pistol
|point a pistol
|carry a pistol
Themes
weapons
|law enforcement
|crime
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The detective pulled a pistol from his coat.
- She kept a small pistol in her bedside drawer for protection.
- The officer aimed his pistol at the suspect and ordered him to stop.
- He bought an antique pistol at the auction.
- The guard quickly drew his pistol when he heard the noise.
Learner examples
- The man has a pistol in his hand.
- She uses a pistol at the shooting range.
- The police officer carries a pistol.
- He points the pistol at the target.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
2
A lively or energetic person
A person who is full of energy and spirit.
Common mistake:
Learners may take this meaning literally and think it refers to an actual gun; context usually makes it clear it’s about personality.
Synonyms
live wire (Informal term for someone very energetic and unpredictable.)
Antonyms
bore (A dull or uninteresting person, opposite in personality to a 'pistol'.)
Collocations
real pistol
|little pistol
Themes
personality
|informal
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Your daughter is a real pistol—she never stops talking.
- He’s a pistol, always making everyone laugh.
- That kid’s a little pistol; she keeps us all on our toes.
Learner examples
- My friend is a real pistol.
- Her son is a little pistol.
- He is a pistol and makes us laugh.
Grammar
Expressions
pistol-whip
1/pˈɪstəl wˈɪp/
fixed phrase
Hit with a pistol
To hit someone with the handle or side of a pistol instead of shooting it.
Examples
- The robber pistol-whipped the guard before escaping.
- He was pistol-whipped during the attack but survived.
jump the gun
1/d͡ʒˈʌmp ðə ɡˈʌn/
idiom
informal
Act too early or prematurely
To start doing something too soon before you should.
Examples
- They jumped the gun by announcing the product before it was ready.
- I think we jumped the gun by announcing the project before getting approval.
- Don't jump the gun on your assignment; wait for instructions.
- Don’t jump the gun—wait until we have all the facts.
smoking gun
1/smˈoʊkɪŋ ɡˈʌn/
idiom
clear evidence of guilt or crime
Strong proof that someone has done something bad or illegal.
Examples
- The email was the smoking gun that proved his involvement.
- The email was the smoking gun that proved the CEO knew about the fraud.
- Investigators found no smoking gun linking her to the crime.
- Investigators are still searching for a smoking gun in the case.
smoking gun
1/smˈoʊkɪŋ ɡˈʌn/
idiom
clear proof of wrongdoing
A fact or object that clearly proves something.
Examples
- The emails were the smoking gun in the investigation.
- Police searched the apartment but found no smoking gun.
- For critics, the leaked recording was a smoking gun.