Shotgun Meaning in English
word
Definition
A shotgun is a gun with a long barrel that usually fires many small metal pellets at once. It is often used for hunting or shooting sports, and in informal American English it can also appear in expressions like 'ride shotgun,' meaning to sit in the front passenger seat.
Usage & Nuances
For the weapon, 'shotgun' is specific and not the same as the general word 'gun.' Common collocations include 'pump-action shotgun,' 'sawed-off shotgun,' and 'shotgun shell.' In informal US English, 'ride shotgun' is very common and usually has nothing to do with weapons.
Example Sentences
The farmer kept a shotgun in a locked cabinet.
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He loaded the shotgun before the hunting trip.
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My uncle owns an old shotgun.
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I call shotgun—I'm sitting in the front seat.
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Jake grabbed his jacket and yelled, "Shotgun!" before anyone else could.
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In old movies, you sometimes see a guard riding shotgun next to the driver.
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