Shotgun wedding Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈʃɑtˌɡən/ /ˈwɛdɪŋ

SHAHT-gun WED-ing

UK

ʃˈɒtɡʌn/ /wˈɛdɪŋ

SHOT-gun WED-ing

Definition

A shotgun wedding is a marriage that takes place quickly because one partner, typically the woman, is unexpectedly pregnant, often with social or family pressure to marry.

Usage & Nuances

This expression is informal and often humorous, but can be sensitive or negative. It refers to the stereotype of a man being forced to marry because of an unplanned pregnancy, originally implying the bride's father might threaten him with a shotgun. Not used for arranged marriages unrelated to pregnancy. Sometimes used generally for any rushed or pressured wedding.

• Spanish: boda forzada - boda apresurada
• Portuguese (BR): casamento forçado - casamento às pressas
• Portuguese (PT): casamento forçado - casamento à pressa
• Chinese (Simplified): 奉子成婚 - 被迫结婚
• Chinese (Traditional): 奉子成婚 - 被迫結婚
• Hindi: जबरन शादी - जल्दबाजी में हुई शादी
• Arabic: زواج بالإكراه - زواج سريع
• Bengali: বলপ্রয়োগে বিয়ে - জোর করে বিয়ে (অপ্রত্যাশিত গর্ভধারণের কারণে)
• Russian: свадьба по залёту - вынужденная свадьба (из-за беременности)
• Japanese: できちゃった結婚 - 強制的な結婚（妊娠による）
• Vietnamese: đám cưới chạy bầu - đám cưới ép buộc (do có thai)
• Korean: 속도위반 결혼 - 임신으로 인한 결혼
• Turkish: zoraki evlilik (hamilelik nedeniyle) - acele evlilik (gebelikten dolayı)
• Urdu: زبردستی کی شادی - حمل کے باعث شادی
• Indonesian: nikah kilat (karena kehamilan) - pernikahan terpaksa (karena hamil di luar nikah)

Example Sentences

They had a shotgun wedding because she was pregnant.

basic

A shotgun wedding is common in some small towns.

basic

My parents always joke about their shotgun wedding.

basic

It wasn’t exactly a fairy tale; it was more of a shotgun wedding.

natural

After the news got out, their families pushed for a shotgun wedding.

natural

He always laughs and says their shotgun wedding was the best thing that ever happened to him.

natural