gun

a big gun: see a big cheese atbig.

blow great guns be very windy. informal

give it the gun accelerate powerfully in a car. informal

go down with (all) guns firing (or blazing) fail or be beaten, but continue to offer resistance until the end.

go great guns perform forcefully, vigorously, or successfully. informal

1913Field A moment later Louvois shot out, passed Sanquhar and Fairy King, and going great guns…beat the favourite by a head.

hold (or put) a gun (or a pistol) to someone's head force someone to do something by using threats.

jump the gun: seejump.

smoking gun: seesmoking.

son of a gun: seeson.

spike someone's guns: seespike.

stick to your guns refuse to compromise or change, despite criticism. informal

☞ The image here is of a soldier maintaining his position under enemy fire.

2011Alf Grumble Turns out if you're in the minority, you have less of an incentive to compromise than the majority does. Because if you stick to your guns, and reach that crucial 10%, your ideas eventually win out.

top gun a (or the) most important person.

under the gun under great pressure. North American informal

with (all) guns blazing with great determination and energy, often without thought for the consequences. informal