shots fired
2
8.8
- idiom
- Slang
:
comentarios hirientes
- Multiple shots fired.
Examples
-
At 10:08 p.m., dispatchers received reports of shots fired, and a Clinton police officer found the victim at the scene.
Blog text (8) -
The unit checking out the shots fired went into an alley off of Third Street where they found two dead bodies.
-
A shot fired by a rebel soldier ends the battle when the Hessian commander is killed.
Fiction book (2002) -
The image slews suddenly in a whip pan as the robot reacts to the first shots fired.
Fiction book (2000) -
There was no point in dwelling on the fusillade Cooley had let off during the pursuit, or the shots fired after the car had stopped.
Fiction book (2002) -
CAPTAIN: So at 0427, a squad car got a shots fired call about the same time we got a report about a late-model sedan speeding near Old Downtown.
-
That annoyance becomes actual pain when the shot fired intersects any human flesh at all, except perhaps when the cop doing the shooting is obviously preventing a vicious, saliva-dripping felon from making off with a charming little girl or similar.
Fiction book (2002) -
During the heated debate, several shots fired at the opposing candidate were clearly heard.
-
She made it clear that her comments were shots fired aimed at the team's poor performance.
-
His sarcastic remarks were just shots fired at anyone who disagreed with his opinion.
Synonyms
175
5.9
A short angry remark meant to hurt or criticize someone
63
5.7
Strong public criticism directed at someone
34
6.3
An insulting remark meant to hurt someone
31
6.7
A pointed remark meant to hurt or criticize
23
8.5
A long angry attack in words against someone or something
22
6.8
A strong comment that shows disapproval of someone's actions
16
8.8
To say negative or attacking things about someone
14
6.4
A short sharp remark meant to hurt or criticize someone
11
7.2
A quick, unfair criticism aimed at an easy target
11
7.7
A sharp remark that humiliates someone in an argument
4
7.4
A final sharp remark you say as you leave to hurt or surprise someone
3
8.2
A strong public attack in speech or writing that criticizes someone
1
9.3
A sharp insulting remark about someone or their actions
1
8.2
A strong attack in words on a person or group
1
7.9
A strong criticism that attacks a person or idea
1
7.2
A harshly critical comment that aims to hurt or mock someone
1
7.4
A mean comment that aims to hurt someone
1
7.0
A strong public refusal of an idea or suggestion
A remark that is harsh and meant to hurt someone's feelings
A sharp remark that stops someone speaking and shames them
A very harsh and angry comment meant to hurt someone
How Harsh
- Literature
- Offensive
543
2.1
- Slang
2
8.8
- Offensive
1
8.2
- Informal
9
6.4
589
1.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase uses a gunfire metaphor: knowing 'shot' (an attack) and 'fire' (to discharge) can suggest some kind of attack, so a learner might infer aggression. However, the specific use for a pointed verbal remark (often in social/media contexts) is a metaphorical, context-dependent extension rather than a straightforward compositional meaning, so it is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Shots fired comes from the image of someone firing a gun: each shot is an attack, so when words feel like attacks people say shots fired. That's why it now means a 'harsh remark' or 'verbal attack'.