shoot someone or something down
shoot down
1. To reject, foil, or disappoint the aspirations of someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "shoot" and "down." I asked John out for a date, but he shot me down. The committee shot down our plans for a new apartment block. The candidate was able to shoot down each of his opponents' claims with indisputable proof.
2. To fire upon an aircraft in order to destroy it or force it to land or crash. A noun or pronoun can be used between "shoot" and "down." We're under orders to shoot down any aircraft in the no-fly zone. If they enter our airspace, shoot them down.
See also: down, shoot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
shoot someone or something down
tv. to ruin someone or something; to debunk someone or something. (see also shot down.) Just as I was making the final point, she shot me down with a simple fact I should have remembered.
See also: down, shoot, someone, something
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- ask back
- not do (someone or oneself) any favors
- rescue from
- rescue from (someone or something)
- identify with
- attune to
- orient
- orient to
- orient to (something)
- involved with