shotgun
A long gun that shoots many small pellets at one time, often used for hunting birds or for close protection.
A long-barreled firearm, usually smoothbore, that typically fires a spread of many small pellets (shot) and is used for hunting, sport shooting, and close-range defense.
The seat next to the driver at the front of a car, when people talk about who will sit there.
The front passenger seat of a car or similar vehicle, especially when people are choosing who will sit there.
To say first that you want a seat so that other people know it is yours, usually the front seat of a car.
To claim, usually by calling out, the right to sit in a particular seat before anyone else, especially the front passenger seat of a car, and by extension any desirable seat or spot.
To drink a can of beer or another drink very fast by making a hole in the can so the drink pours quickly.
To drink a canned or bottled alcoholic drink extremely quickly by making an extra hole in the container and opening it so the liquid flows rapidly into the mouth.
Used about a marriage that happens very fast because the couple is under pressure, often because the woman is going to have a baby.
Describing a marriage or similar commitment that is arranged quickly and under strong social pressure, especially because the woman is already pregnant.
Used about a plan or method that tries many things at the same time, without choosing a small, clear target.
Describing a method or approach that tries many different options or affects many people at once instead of focusing carefully on a specific target.
In American football, a way the team stands where the player who throws the ball (the quarterback) starts a few meters behind the player who gives him the ball (the center).
In American football, an offensive backfield formation in which the quarterback lines up several yards behind the center to receive the snap.
A special long microphone that listens mostly to sound from one direction and ignores other sounds around it.
A long, narrow microphone with a highly directional pickup pattern, designed to capture sound mainly from one direction while rejecting noise from the sides and rear.
- Base: shotgun
- Plural: shotguns
call shotgun
1Claim the front passenger seat
To say a special phrase first to say that you want the front seat next to the driver in a car.
- We stepped outside and my brother immediately yelled, "I call shotgun!"
- You can’t call shotgun until you see the car.
- They argued about who had called shotgun first.
double-barreled shotgun
1Shotgun with two barrels
A shotgun that has two barrels side by side or one above the other, so it can shoot two times without reloading.
- He inherited an old double-barreled shotgun from his grandfather.
- The hunter carried a double-barreled shotgun over his shoulder.
pump-action shotgun
1Shotgun reloaded by sliding the fore-end
A shotgun that you reload by moving part of it (the front grip) back and forward by hand.
- The officer carried a pump-action shotgun in the patrol car.
- He racked the pump-action shotgun and loaded another round.
ride shotgun
1Sit in the front passenger seat
To sit in the front seat next to the driver in a car or other vehicle.
- I’ll drive if you want to ride shotgun.
- She always rides shotgun so she can control the music.
- My dad let me ride shotgun for the first time on our trip.
sawed-off shotgun
1Shotgun with a shorter barrel
A shotgun whose barrel and often back end have been cut shorter, making it smaller and easier to hide.
- The police found a sawed-off shotgun hidden under the seat.
- Owning a sawed-off shotgun is illegal in many places.
shotgun approach
1Broad, unfocused method or strategy
A way of doing something where you try many different things or talk to many different people instead of focusing on one clear target.
- Their shotgun approach to advertising didn’t bring in many new customers.
- A shotgun approach to job hunting can be less effective than focusing on a few good opportunities.
- The company is moving away from a shotgun approach and toward more targeted campaigns.
shotgun formation
1American football offensive setup
In American football, a way the team stands where the quarterback starts a few meters behind the player who gives him the ball.
- The team lined up in shotgun formation on third down.
- From the shotgun formation, the quarterback has more time to throw.
shotgun house
1Narrow house with rooms in a line
A small, narrow house where the rooms are in a straight line from the front door to the back door.
- New Orleans is famous for its colorful shotgun houses.
- They bought a tiny shotgun house and renovated it.
shotgun mic
1Long, directional microphone
A long microphone that mostly records sound from one direction and is often used in film and video work.
- The sound crew aimed a shotgun mic at the actor from off camera.
- For outdoor interviews, a shotgun mic can reduce background noise.
shotgun shell
1Ammunition for a shotgun
A round of ammunition made to be fired from a shotgun, usually filled with many small pellets.
- He picked up the empty shotgun shells from the ground.
- Different shotgun shells are used for different kinds of hunting.
shotgun start
1Golf event where all groups start at once
In golf, a way to start a game where many groups start playing at the same time from different holes.
- The charity tournament will use a shotgun start at 9 a.m.
- Because of the shotgun start, every group finished the round around the same time.
shotgun wedding
1Marriage forced by pressure or pregnancy
A wedding that happens very fast because the couple is under pressure, often because the woman is already pregnant.
- Some people guessed it was a shotgun wedding when they heard the baby was due soon.
- The movie is about a young couple pushed into a shotgun wedding.
- They insist their ceremony wasn’t a shotgun wedding, even though it was planned in two weeks.