Phrase guide

under the gun

prep_phrase · 3 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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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Under great pressure to perform.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • He was under the gun to finish the project quickly.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: under the cosh, under the pump

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Of, pertaining to, or in the situation of first player to act on the first round of betting.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: card-games, poker

Examples

  • James will be under the gun for the first hand of the final table.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: UTG

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

Too close to be subject to artillery fire.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

Topics: government, military, politics, war

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.