PHRASES ORIGINATED IN SHOOTING

[crazyphil]

This morning I was thinking of the many phrases that originated
in shooting. Here is a brief list that I came up with. Perhaps you
can add some more?

Keep your powder dry.
Just a flash in the pan.
Hair trigger reflexes.
Shot my wad.
Bite the bullet.
Lock, stock, and barrel.
Don't go off half cocked.
Loaded for bear.
Shooting from the hip.
He is a straight shooter.

 

[Telecaster]

Point blank

 

[doublesharp]

OP took most of the low hanging fruit but here are a few

dead center
between the eyes
drt
cocked and locked
Saturday night special

 

[tlawler]

Get a bead on it.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

GSR, gun shot residue.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[WuzzFuzz]

"Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me"?


"Lay that pistol down". (from the song)

"Aw shoot". (for those who don't cuss)

A shot in the dark

"She's a pistol packin mama"


WuzzFuzz

 

[Turq]

Son of a gun I can't think on any.

 

[squidsix]

Remember also that guns are the only reason we have cool hatchback cars too. The brits called them "shooting brakes" and they had a higher roof in the back for the passengers to hold their guns

 

[Jessie]

Give them the " whole nine yards"
If you didn't already know it was the length of a belt of ( I believe) .50 cal ammo used in aircraft

 

[Onomea]

That's a long shot.
Bring in the big guns.
Gut shot.

The "the whole nine yards" is a nautical term, no? (This is added later: There are a number of theories on the origins of "the whole nine yards," and among them both the machine-gun belt and the sailing ship. None are definitive, however: The whole nine yards - Wikipedia)

 

[Kurusu]

Remember also that guns are the only reason we have cool hatchback cars too. The brits called them "shooting brakes" and they had a higher roof in the back for the passengers to hold their guns

Whot!?

No pictures?

Early "shooting brakes".

 

[6518John]

Sure as shootin'
Hot as a $2 pistol

 

[Targets Guy]

Let's see.

Drop your weapon or I'll kill her
Stop! Police! Stop or I'll shoot!
Reach for the sky
Hands up
Let me see your hands
Do you feel lucky today

 

[Kurusu]

Let's see.

Drop your weapon or I'll kill her
Stop! Police! Stop or I'll shoot!
Reach for the sky
Hands up
Let me see your hands
Do you feel lucky today

I would strike "Reach for the Sky" from that list. Just because it is the title of Douglas Bader biografy. There is also a movie with the same name with Kenneth More playing Bader. I recomend them both.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Give them the " whole nine yards"
If you didn't already know it was the length of a belt of ( I believe) .50 cal ammo used in aircraft

Here I thought it was a full load from a cement (mixer) truck

 

[squidsix]

And I thought it was regarding the full dress Scottish kilt, with a whole nine yards of wool

 

[WuzzFuzz]

A couple more.

Marine Corp "Gunny"

"Top Gun"

Shooting Stars

Shoot the Moon ( card playing Pitch term)


Shot themselves in their foot.

Sure shot

driving something..."Gun It"


WuzzFuzz

 

[Onomea]

I added a link in post 10 explaining the origins, or lack thereof, of the phrase, "the whole nine yards."

 

[squidsix]

The ultimate American shooting brake.

 

[BAM-BAM]

That's a long shot.


The "the whole nine yards" is a nautical term, no? (This is added later: There are a number of theories on the origins of "the whole nine yards," and among them both the machine-gun belt and the sailing ship. None are definitive, however: The whole nine yards - Wikipedia)

Kind of liking the three masted sailing ship idea...... with 9 yards..... a full spread of sail.