at gunpoint

at gunpoint

1. Literally, in a position of having a gun pointed at one, as in an armed robbery. The robber held the security guard at gunpoint.
2. By extension, in a position of being held under extreme pressure or aggressively coerced. Don't try to hold me at gunpoint—I'll make a decision when I'm good and ready!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at gunpoint

Also, at knifepoint. Under coercion, as in I'm going to hold him at gunpoint for that raise he promised me last year. Both these phrases were at first used literally and later also figuratively. [Mid-1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

at gunpoint

Under or as if under the threat of being shot.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • knifepoint
  • at knifepoint
  • stare down the barrel of a/(one's) gun
  • break away
  • assail with
  • literally
  • be scratching (one's) head
  • be scratching your head
  • break loose
References in periodicals archive
Two dacoits looted a motorcycle at gunpoint from village Kaanwaan Lit-Daska based trader Asim Sarfraz during a dacoity incident near Daska-Pasrur Bypass.
Robbers on the loose in Sialkot as police slumber
From the limits of Gizri Police Station, a Toyota Corolla, bearing registration plates GSE 062, was snatched at gunpoint on February 10.
12th government car stolen from DHA, Clifton this year
The post Two held at gunpoint and robbed in Limassol apartment appeared first on Cyprus Mail .
Two held at gunpoint and robbed in Limassol apartment
I was raped, and those boys made a video of the act at gunpoint. They told me if I reported or told anyone about the incident, they would circulate this video and kill my younger brother.
UP: Minor gang-raped, filmed at gunpoint
19, Ramos also robbed at gunpoint his passengers Kristine dela Cruz and Kristine Quiros while they were at the corner of Sheridan and William Streets in Barangay Highway Hills at around 1:40 a.m.
Taxi driver 'wanted' for robbing 4 women, raping 1
The Sharjah Police have arrested a wanted man in the GCC, who allegedly conducted several robberies at gunpoint.
Sharjah Police nab GCC's wanted man
A police source in Salah al-Din told the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA / that "unidentified gunmen abducted, in a late hour last night, a farmer and his son after breaking into their farm in al-Galam area of Samarra southeast of Tikrit and took them, at gunpoint to an unknown destination." The source added that "the security forces launched a raid and search campaign in the area to arrest the kidnappers." / End
Gunmen kidnap a farmer and his son in Tikrit
The women were cut off and forced at gunpoint by two men to leave the vehicle with its engine running.
Four armed men carjack Infiniti in Gemmayzeh
He entered the Travelex outlet at around 8am, threatened an Indian salesman at gunpoint, forced him to open the cash drawer and hand over the cash.
Shop robbed at gunpoint
Motorists watched on as armed officers pursued and arrested a man at gunpoint by the side of the A1058 Coast Road in Newcastle.
Armed police in roadside arrests; DRAMA STOPS TRAFFIC AS ROBBERY SUSPECT IS PULLED OVER
David Perrin was jailed for 12 years in 2000 for kidnapping Cleveland special constable Jennifer Hudson at gunpoint.
KIDNAP GUNMAN IS BACK IN JAIL; Man who held officer caught with drugs
An Arizona federal jury has ordered vigilante rancher Roger Barnett (pictured here) to pay $73,352 in damages to a group of migrants he held at gunpoint and assaulted on public lands in Douglas, Arizona in 2004.
No, you can't attack immigrants
The gang threatened staff at gunpoint and refused to allow customers to leave while they rifled cash from the tills.
SHOP FIGHTS BACK AGAINST TERROR RAIDERS; SECURITY: Cameras plan as traders live in fear after gunpoint robbery at bookies
A 27-year-old Springfield man has been jailed on charges that he fondled another man at gunpoint while giving him a ride home from a bar this week.
Man charged with felony sexual assault, menacing
Police have broken down doors, screamed obscenities, and held innocent people at gunpoint only to discover that what they thought were marijuana plants were really sunflowers, hibiscus, ragweed, tomatoes, or elderberry bushes.
Government goons murder puppies! The drug war goes to the dogs