shoot

I UK [ʃuːt] / US [ʃut] verb
Word forms "shoot":
present tense I/you/we/they shoot he/she/it shoots present participle shooting past tense shot UK [ʃɒt] / US [ʃɑt] past participle shot
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1) [intransitive/transitive] to fire a gun

We were ordered not to shoot until he gave the signal.

shoot at:

They were shooting at bottles on a wall.

shoot (someone) on sight (= to shoot someone as soon as you see them):

Armed officers had instructions to shoot the kidnapper on sight.

shoot to kill (= to intend to kill someone when you shoot at them):

It's not clear whether they were shooting to kill.

a) [transitive] used about other weapons that fire things, for example a bow and arrow

b) [transitive] to hit someone or something with a bullet from a gun

shoot someone in the head/leg/stomach etc:

The man was shot in the head as he left the bar.

shoot someone dead:

Two of our officers were shot dead.

shoot someone at close range (= to be very close to them when you shoot):

The victim had been shot at close range.

c) [intransitive] to hunt animals using guns, or to fire guns for pleasure

2) [intransitive/transitive] in sport, to throw or kick a ball in an attempt to score points

He shot the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

We were all shouting for him to shoot.

a) [transitive] in golf, to get a particular score

He shot a 68 in yesterday's competition.

b) [transitive] mainly American to play a particular sport

shoot baskets/hoops (= to play basketball):

The kids were in the yard shooting hoops.

shoot pool:

Let's go over to Harry's and shoot some pool.

3) [intransitive] to move very suddenly and quickly

shoot into/out of/across something:

The car shot across the road at high speed.

They could see flames shooting into the air.

a) [transitive] to move something quickly and suddenly

shoot something out/into/across etc:

She shot an arm out to catch it.

b) [transitive] to direct something somewhere suddenly or with a lot of force

shoot something at someone:

Journalists were shooting questions at us.

shoot a look/glance at someone:

I shot a nervous glance at my partner.

c) [intransitive/transitive] informal to happen very suddenly and quickly

The book has shot straight to the top of the bestseller list.

shoot to fame/stardom/celebrity:

an appearance that shot her to stardom overnight

4) [intransitive/transitive] to take photographs, or to make a film or video

We're going to start shooting early tomorrow morning.

All the outdoor scenes were shot on location in Wales.

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shoot the breeze/bull — American

informal to spend time talking about unimportant things

- shoot your bolt

- shoot from the hip

- shoot it out

- shoot your mouth off

- shoot the rapids

- shoot yourself in the foot

Phrasal verbs:

- shoot down

- shoot for

- shoot off

- shoot through

- shoot up

II UK [ʃuːt] / US [ʃut] noun [countable]
Word forms "shoot":
singular shoot plural shoots
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1) a very young plant, or a new part growing on a plant

tender shoots of corn

2) an occasion when someone takes a series of photographs or makes a film

a fashion shoot for a magazine

3)

a) an occasion when people shoot animals for sport

b) a place where people shoot animals

III UK [ʃuːt] / US [ʃut] interjection

1) used for telling someone to say what they want to say

"I've got a fantastic idea." "OK, shoot!"

2) mainly American used for expressing anger or disappointment

Shoot! I forgot to call him back.