Phrase guide

shoot from the hip

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 discharge a firearm while it is held near the hip, without taking time to aim via the gunsights.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To speak or act quickly based on first impressions, without carefully studying the background information, wider context, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

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

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ampua lonkalta — discharge a firearm
  • Russian: стрелять от бедра (streljatʹ ot bedra) — discharge a firearm
  • Swedish: skjuta från höften — discharge a firearm
  • Finnish: heittää lonkalta — speak or act quickly
  • Polish: gadać co ślina na język przyniesie — speak or act quickly
  • Russian: импровизировать (improvizirovatʹ) — speak or act quickly
  • Swedish: skjuta från höften — speak or act quickly
  • Swedish: höfta — speak or act quickly