Words Matter
We speak casually about dodging a bullet… shooting the breeze… taking aim and smoking guns. The language of gun violence is pervasive in our culture.
But it doesn’t need to be that way. We can be conscious of the phrases and metaphors from our vocabulary and begin to change the conversation about gun violence one word at a time.
| Gun Term | Alternative |
|---|---|
| A | |
| Ammunition | facts, evidence |
| armed with the facts | well-informed |
| aim for | hope to achieve |
| ask point blank | ask directly |
| B | |
| bite the bullet | just do it |
| bullet points | specifics, key points |
| bullet-proof | invincible |
| C | |
| caught in the crossfire | caught in the middle |
| cheap shot | unfair criticism |
| D | |
| dodged a bullet | avoided trouble |
| don’t shoot the messenger | not responsible |
| E | |
| even shot | 50/50 chance |
| F | |
| faster than a speeding bullet | turbo speed |
| ‘Fire Away!’ | ‘Get started!’ |
| firing blanks | not succeeding |
| fire back | responding quickly |
| G | |
| going great guns | succeeding beyond expectations |
| gun it | floor it |
| gun shy | reticent |
| gunning for someone | planning to harm |
| H | |
| half-cocked | reckless |
| high caliber | exceptional |
| hired gun | paid specialist |
| hold a gun to my head | threaten |
| hot shot | show-off, braggart |
| I | |
| in the crosshairs | scrutinized |
| J | |
| jumped the gun | started too early |
| ‘Just shoot me!’ | ‘I give up!’ |
| K | |
| kill joy | spoil sport |
| killer instinct | ruthless |
| L | |
| like shooting fish in a barrel | too easy |
| lock, stock and barrel | all inclusive |
| locked-and-loaded | ready, prepared |
| M | |
| magic bullet | perfect solution |
| misfired | erred |
| missed the mark | imperfect, fell short |
| moving target | hard to pin down |
| O | |
| outgunned | outmatched |
| on target | accurate |
| P | |
| point blank | direct, precise, simple |
| point & shoot | camera reference |
| pot shots | jabs |
| pull the trigger | get going |
| Q | |
| quick on the trigger | rash, hasty |
| R | |
| rapid fire | quickly |
| ‘Ready, aim, fire!’ | ‘Go!’ |
| riding shot gun | occupying the passenger seat protecting a companion |
| rifle through files | search |
| S | |
| ‘She/he is a pistol!’ | ‘She/he has spunk!’ |
| shoot first, ask later | impetuous |
| shoot for | try |
| shoot for the moon | set high goals |
| shoot from the hip | impulsive |
| shoot me an email | send me an email |
| shoot off your mouth | talk recklessly |
| shoot out | confrontation |
| shoot the breeze | chat, visit |
| shot down my idea | rejected |
| shot in the dark | wild guess |
| shot myself in the foot | made a mistake |
| silver bullet | perfect solution |
| smoking gun | proof beyond doubt |
| ‘Son of a gun!’ | ‘Darn!’ |
| stick to my guns | uncompromising |
| straight shooter | frank & honest |
| sweating bullets | really worried |
| T | |
| take aim | focus |
| take a shot at | give it a try |
| target market | audience segment |
| top gun | recognized expert |
| trigger a response | elicit a response |
| trigger alerts | heads up, warnings |
| trigger happy | impulsive |
| trip your trigger | make you happy |
| U | |
| under fire | being criticized |
| under the gun | feeling time pressured |
| V | |
| W | |
| whole shooting match | in total |
| with guns blazing | all-out effort |
| worth a shot | worth trying |
| X | |
| Y | |
| ‘You’re killing me!’ | ‘You’re too much!’ |
| Z |