shot
♦♦ shot /ʃ'ɒt/ (shots)
1
Shot is the past tense and past participle of shoot.
2 [N-COUNT]
A shot is an act of firing a gun.
He had murdered Perceval at point blank range with a single shot...
A man fired a volley of shots at them.
3 [N-COUNT] adj N
Someone who is a good shot can shoot well. Someone who is a bad shot cannot shoot well.
He was not a particularly good shot because of his eyesight.
4 [N-COUNT]
In sports such as football, golf, or tennis, a shot is an act of kicking, hitting, or throwing the ball, especially in an attempt to score a point.
He had only one shot at goal.
5 [N-COUNT]
A shot is a photograph or a particular sequence of pictures in a film.
...a shot of a fox peering from the bushes...
6 [N-COUNT] usu sing, usu N at n
If you have a shot at something, you attempt to do it. (INFORMAL)
The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.
7 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A shot of a drug is an injection of it.
He administered a shot of Nembutal.
8 [N-COUNT]
A shot of a strong alcoholic drink is a small glass of it. (AM)
...a shot of vodka.
9 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you give something your best shot, you do it as well as you possibly can. (INFORMAL)
I don't expect to win. But I am going to give it my best shot.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
The person who calls the shots is in a position to tell others what to do.
The directors call the shots and nothing happens without their say-so.
11 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you do something like a shot, you do it without any delay or hesitation. (INFORMAL)
I heard the key turn in the front door and I was out of bed like a shot...
12 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you describe something as a long shot, you mean that it is unlikely to succeed, but is worth trying.
The deal was a long shot, but Bagley had little to lose...
13 [PHRASE]
People sometimes use the expression by a long shot to emphasize the opinion they are giving.
The missile-reduction treaty makes sweeping cuts, but the arms race isn't over by a long shot.
14 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If something is shot through with an element or feature, it contains a lot of that element or feature.
This is an argument shot through with inconsistency.
15
a shot in the dark: see darkbig shot (big shots)
[N-COUNT]
A big shot is an important and powerful person in a group or organization. (INFORMAL)
He's a big shot in Chilean politics.cheap shot (cheap shots)
[N-COUNT]
A cheap shot is a comment someone makes which you think is unfair or unkind.mug shot (mug shots)
[N-COUNT]
A mug shot is a photograph of someone, especially a photograph of a criminal which has been taken by the police. (INFORMAL)part|ing shot (parting shots)
[N-COUNT]
If someone makes a parting shot, they make an unpleasant or forceful remark at the end of a conversation, and then leave so that no-one has the chance to reply.
He turned to face her for his parting shot. `You're one coldhearted woman, you know that?'pot shot (pot shots)
also pot-shot
1 [N-COUNT]
To take a pot shot at someone or something means to shoot at them without taking the time to aim carefully. (INFORMAL)
2 [N-COUNT]
A pot shot is a criticism of someone which may be unexpected and unfair. (INFORMAL)
...Republican rivals taking pot shots at the president.shot put
[N-SING] usu the N
In athletics, the shot put is a competition in which people throw a heavy metal ball as far as possible.
● shot putter [N-COUNT]
...Canadian shot-putter Georgette Reed.
1
Shot is the past tense and past participle of shoot.
2 [N-COUNT]
A shot is an act of firing a gun.
He had murdered Perceval at point blank range with a single shot...
A man fired a volley of shots at them.
3 [N-COUNT] adj N
Someone who is a good shot can shoot well. Someone who is a bad shot cannot shoot well.
He was not a particularly good shot because of his eyesight.
4 [N-COUNT]
In sports such as football, golf, or tennis, a shot is an act of kicking, hitting, or throwing the ball, especially in an attempt to score a point.
He had only one shot at goal.
5 [N-COUNT]
A shot is a photograph or a particular sequence of pictures in a film.
...a shot of a fox peering from the bushes...
6 [N-COUNT] usu sing, usu N at n
If you have a shot at something, you attempt to do it. (INFORMAL)
The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.
7 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A shot of a drug is an injection of it.
He administered a shot of Nembutal.
8 [N-COUNT]
A shot of a strong alcoholic drink is a small glass of it. (AM)
...a shot of vodka.
9 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you give something your best shot, you do it as well as you possibly can. (INFORMAL)
I don't expect to win. But I am going to give it my best shot.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
The person who calls the shots is in a position to tell others what to do.
The directors call the shots and nothing happens without their say-so.
11 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you do something like a shot, you do it without any delay or hesitation. (INFORMAL)
I heard the key turn in the front door and I was out of bed like a shot...
12 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you describe something as a long shot, you mean that it is unlikely to succeed, but is worth trying.
The deal was a long shot, but Bagley had little to lose...
13 [PHRASE]
People sometimes use the expression by a long shot to emphasize the opinion they are giving.
The missile-reduction treaty makes sweeping cuts, but the arms race isn't over by a long shot.
14 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If something is shot through with an element or feature, it contains a lot of that element or feature.
This is an argument shot through with inconsistency.
15
a shot in the dark: see darkbig shot (big shots)
[N-COUNT]
A big shot is an important and powerful person in a group or organization. (INFORMAL)
He's a big shot in Chilean politics.cheap shot (cheap shots)
[N-COUNT]
A cheap shot is a comment someone makes which you think is unfair or unkind.mug shot (mug shots)
[N-COUNT]
A mug shot is a photograph of someone, especially a photograph of a criminal which has been taken by the police. (INFORMAL)part|ing shot (parting shots)
[N-COUNT]
If someone makes a parting shot, they make an unpleasant or forceful remark at the end of a conversation, and then leave so that no-one has the chance to reply.
He turned to face her for his parting shot. `You're one coldhearted woman, you know that?'pot shot (pot shots)
also pot-shot
1 [N-COUNT]
To take a pot shot at someone or something means to shoot at them without taking the time to aim carefully. (INFORMAL)
2 [N-COUNT]
A pot shot is a criticism of someone which may be unexpected and unfair. (INFORMAL)
...Republican rivals taking pot shots at the president.shot put
[N-SING] usu the N
In athletics, the shot put is a competition in which people throw a heavy metal ball as far as possible.
● shot putter [N-COUNT]
...Canadian shot-putter Georgette Reed.