guided missile
C1Technical, Military, Figurative
Definition
Meaning
A self-propelled projectile whose flight path can be controlled during flight, either by remote control or by internal mechanisms, to hit a specific target.
Any person or thing that is directed precisely toward a goal, often used metaphorically to describe a focused and targeted effort or strategy.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a technical/military term; its metaphorical use implies precision, control, and an inability to be easily diverted from its objective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., 'defence/defense system').
Connotations
Equally strong military/technical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Similar frequency in relevant contexts (military, political, technological discourse).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[guided missile] + [verb: was launched/fired/targeted][adjective] + [guided missile][guided missile] + [preposition: at/against/toward] + [target]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a political guided missile (metaphorical)”
- “a human guided missile (metaphorical for a focused person)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorically used to describe a highly focused marketing campaign or business strategy aimed at a specific market segment. (e.g., 'Our new ad campaign is a guided missile for millennials.')
Academic
Used in political science, history, and engineering contexts to discuss military technology, deterrence theory, or the evolution of warfare.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might appear in news discussions about conflicts or technology.
Technical
Core usage. Refers to the specific class of weaponry with guidance systems (e.g., infrared, laser, GPS).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The guided-missile destroyer patrolled the coast.
- A guided-missile defence programme was approved.
American English
- The guided-missile cruiser deployed to the region.
- Guided-missile technology is rapidly advancing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The news reported a guided missile was fired.
- Guided missiles are very expensive weapons.
- The navy deployed a destroyer equipped with advanced guided missiles.
- The treaty aimed to limit the proliferation of guided missile technology.
- The strategic doctrine relied on precision strikes from sea-launched guided missiles.
- Metaphorically, the investigative journalist was a guided missile, uncovering corruption with pinpoint accuracy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MISSILE being GUIDED by a remote control like a video game, hitting the target with a 'guide' star.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PURPOSEFUL JOURNEY (toward a destination/goal); A CONTROLLED/PREDETERMINED PATH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'управляемый снаряд' which is overly literal. Standard term is 'управляемая ракета'.
- Do not confuse with 'ракета-носитель' (launch vehicle/carrier rocket) which is for payloads, not weaponry.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'guided missile' to refer to any rocket or launch vehicle (e.g., SpaceX rockets).
- Misspelling as 'guided missle'.
- Incorrect plural: 'guided missiles' (correct) vs. 'guided missile' (singular).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what might 'a guided missile' metaphorically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A guided missile can be controlled and can maneuver during its entire flight. A ballistic missile is only guided during the initial boost phase; for most of its flight, it follows a predictable arc like a thrown stone, governed by gravity.
In its literal sense, it is neutral/technical. Metaphorically, it can be positive when describing extreme focus and efficiency (e.g., 'She was a guided missile in her research'), though the underlying imagery is still militaristic.
It is a closed compound noun. The word 'guided' functions as a participle adjective within the compound, but the entire unit 'guided missile' is a single lexical item.
'Smart weapon' or 'precision-guided munition' (PGM) are common synonyms, with PGM being a broader technical category that includes bombs as well as missiles.
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