shoot off

Related to shoot off: shoot off one's mouth

shoot off

1. To shoot or launch some ballistic projectile, such as a bullet or a missile, especially in a haphazard or careless manner. A noun or pronoun can be used between "shoot" and "off." The criminal shot off several rounds into the air to show the criminals he meant business. The country has been accused of intentionally shooting off test rockets over the sovereign airspace of its neighbor to the north, in direct conflict of their peace treaty.
2. To cause something to be severed (from something else) as a result of being shot with a projectile of some kind. A noun or pronoun can be used between "shoot" and "off." The man accidentally shot off his thumb with the pistol he was holding because he didn't realize the safety was off. He can shoot the leaf off a tree from fifty feet away with a bow and arrow.
3. To send some written message very quickly or casually. A noun or pronoun can be used between "shoot" and "off." Would you mind shooting off an email to the accountant to see when our tax refund is due? I shot a message off to my mother about next weekend, but she hasn't gotten back to me yet.
See also: off, shoot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

shoot off

v.
1. To launch some rocket or missile: We shot off fireworks to celebrate the New Year. I built a rocket and shot it off in my backyard.
2. To detach or sever something by shooting: The gunner shot off the plane's wing. I aimed the gun at the padlock and shot it off.
See also: off, shoot
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • angle
  • angling
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • (Is) this taken?
  • interpret for
  • interpret for (someone)
  • involve with
  • involve with (someone or something)
  • involved with
  • arrange some music for
References in periodicals archive
The vendor proposed to shoot off 10 3-inch "multi-shot boxes," 90 3-inch aerial shells, 145 4-inch shells and 57 5-inch shells, according to a copy of the application The Register-Guard obtained through a public records request.
Dry conditions scuttle UO's plan for football fireworks
It is necessary to shoot off these dogs and conduct pet vaccinations," he said and encouraged to develop an action plan on the issue.
MP Salymbekov urges to shoot off stray dogs
We're also introducing three new segments: The Genius of John Browning's Gun Designs; a No Holding Back Shoot Off with two of our resident experts, Richard Venola and David Fortier; and in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 1911 pistol, we take an up-close look at 13 different groups of 1911 guns.
July
Rahul showed a lot of grit and nerves as all his matches on Sunday went into a shoot off. In the quarter- finals, the deciding set saw both Rahul and Matthew Masonwells tied at four set points each.
Archers bang on target to snap up 2 gold
White shot a superb 703 and was unlucky to go out in the second round in a shoot off after a tie with Julio Fierro.
Duo's final hopes; ARCHERY
Scholes completely missed his kick and was as amazed as anyone to see the ball shoot off his standing left leg and fly past Dida into the far corner.
Worst goal; SOCCER In Brief
A 1 Les Meynell 59 after shoot off; 2 Paul Clark 59.
Sporting clays; INBRIEF
DAVID Beattie fired his way to Commonwealth silver medal in a dramatic shoot off in yesterday.
Badminton: TTIE ON TARGET WITH SILVER BULLET
While the capital markets go agog over the few initial public offerings (IPOs) that shoot off the charts, like Google, the fact is that the IPO market is increasingly selective--and critical of offerings that aren't clear winners.
From the editor
In a number of works, rectangular fragments of varying lengths, densities, and textures shoot off in all directions, dispersing randomly in space with the thrust of Futurist vectors.
Joel Shapiro
An axon may grow steadily toward one main target, but secondary axons, or collaterals, can shoot off from the axon's main trunk.
Growing nerve fibers get some guidance
I tell you what, I could have used that boy in last year's Junior Shoot Off. And I think your effete liberal press should be ashamed for politicizing calamities like this.
Guns for teachers
The 27-year-old was up against Naphaswan Yangpaiboon of Thailand in the shoot off round for the gold medal after both the shooters ended up at the score of 34 shots each.
Asian Games: Rahi Sarnobat clinches gold in 25m Pistol event
SPENNYMOOR came out on top of the triple team shoot off for the Cleveland and North Yorkshire League title at Marne.
IN BRIEF: Sporting Clays
THERE will be a three team shoot off for the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Sporting Clay League title.
IN BRIEF