Shots
ʃɒts
Definitions
5 meaningsThe act of firing a gun, bow, or other weapon, or the projectile fired.
ʃɒts
The act of firing a weapon.
The hunter took a careful shot at the deer.
💡 Simply: When you *shot*, it's like a gun going boom! Or it could be the thing that flies out, like a bullet or arrow. It's also what you do in basketball when you try to get the ball in the hoop. Like: 'He took a great *shot* and scored!'
👶 For kids: When you take a shot, it means you're trying to hit something with a gun or a ball. The thing that comes out of a gun is called a shot.
More Examples
The crowd gasped as the basketball player missed the shot at the buzzer.
The security guard heard shots fired in the parking lot.
How It's Used
"The soldiers fired several shots at the enemy."
"He took a shot at the basket."
A small, measured quantity of a drink, especially alcohol, usually taken quickly.
ʃɒts
A small amount of liquid consumed quickly.
She offered to buy her friends a round of shots.
💡 Simply: A *shot* is a tiny quick gulp of a drink like tequila or whiskey. It's like a very mini-drink!
👶 For kids: A shot is a very small drink, usually alcohol, that you drink very fast.
More Examples
The bartender poured a double shot of whiskey.
He felt dizzy after taking three shots.
How It's Used
"He ordered a few shots of tequila to celebrate."
"They took shots of champagne at the party."
An injection of medicine into the body.
ʃɒts
An injection of medicine.
She was afraid of getting the shot.
💡 Simply: When you get a *shot*, it's like the doctor uses a needle to put medicine inside your body to make you feel better or protect you from getting sick.
👶 For kids: A shot is when a doctor uses a needle to give you some medicine to make you feel better.
More Examples
The nurse administered the vaccine shots.
He needed a series of shots for his travel vaccinations.
How It's Used
"The doctor gave her a flu shot to protect her from the virus."
"Children need regular shots to stay healthy."
A single photograph or a piece of a moving image.
ʃɒts
A photograph or a brief take in a film.
The photographer reviewed the best shots from the session.
💡 Simply: A *shot* can also be a picture taken with a camera, or a little piece of video in a movie.
👶 For kids: A shot can be a picture that you take with a camera. It can also be a small part of a video.
More Examples
The director used a long shot to establish the setting.
She posted her best shots on Instagram.
How It's Used
"The director wanted a close-up shot of the actor's face."
An opportunity or chance to do something.
ʃɒts
An opportunity.
She finally got a shot at the promotion she wanted.
💡 Simply: A *shot* can mean a chance to do something, like a 'shot' at winning a game or getting a new job.
👶 For kids: A shot is a chance to do something, like try to win a game or make a goal.
More Examples
He blew his shot at becoming a star.
The team had a final shot at winning the championship.
How It's Used
"He gave me a shot at the job."
"The company had one last shot at saving the project."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
call the shots
to be in charge
"The CEO calls the shots in the company."
a long shot
Something that is unlikely to succeed.
"Winning the lottery is a long shot."
shot in the dark
A guess; a guess made without much knowledge or information.
"I'm just taking a shot in the dark, but I think the answer is C."
From Middle English 'shot', a projectile, from Old English 'scot' (a missile). The meaning expanded over time to include the act of firing, and later, medical injections, and drinks.
The word 'shot' in its various forms has been present in English since the Old English period (circa 450-1150 AD). The original meaning related to projectiles and missiles.
Memory tip
Think of the sound a gun makes: *shot*!
Word Origin
"missile, projectile, that which is thrown or shot"