Phrase guide

shoot first and ask questions later

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To take hasty, immediate action with serious consequences, without first adequately investigating the situation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To act boldly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 先斬後奏 /先斩后奏 (xiānzhǎnhòuzòu) — To take hasty, immediate action with serious consequences
  • Dutch: eerst schieten, dan vragen stellen — To take hasty, immediate action with serious consequences
  • German: erst schießen, dann fragen — To take hasty, immediate action with serious consequences
  • Spanish: disparar primero y preguntar después — To take hasty, immediate action with serious consequences