What does gun shy mean?
Gun shy means Afraid to use a gun..
Gun shy
/ˈɡʌn.ʃaɪ/ · adjective
Meaning
Afraid to use a gun..
Definitions by Sense
- Afraid to use a gun.
- Frightened by the sound of gunfire.
- (figurative) Fearing the consequences of repeating an act, especially after being reprimanded.
Example Sentences
But very few dogs become gunshy if they are introduced to the bang while they are overcome with the delight of chasing game, particularly if the trainer begins with a light noise and works up to louder noises in easy stages
After his last suggestion was laughed at by his colleagues, he was gunshy about making another suggestion.
However, some people are gun-shy about like and engage in the hoity toity lingo that's called “hypercorrection.”
You're gun shy / So am I / I understand with what you've been through
Synonyms for gun shy
Antonyms for gun shy
Related Words
Word Forms
- more gunshy
- most gunshy
- gun shy
- gun-shy
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for gun shy?
The closest synonym depends on the sentence and intended sense.
What is the opposite of gun shy?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use gun shy in a sentence?
But very few dogs become gunshy if they are introduced to the bang while they are overcome with the delight of chasing game, particularly if the trainer begins with a light noise and works up to louder noises in easy stages
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
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