gun for: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, figurative. Common in journalism, sports commentary, and competitive contexts.
Quick answer
What does “gun for” mean?
To be determined to defeat, harm, or acquire something/someone, often aggressively or with intense focus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To be determined to defeat, harm, or acquire something/someone, often aggressively or with intense focus.
To pursue relentlessly or single-mindedly; to have someone/something as a primary target for attack, criticism, or acquisition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use it identically in meaning. Slightly more common in American sports and political journalism.
Connotations
Carries connotations of aggression, direct competition, and a zero-sum mindset.
Frequency
Medium frequency in specific contexts (politics, business, sports). Rare in formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “gun for” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be gunning for + [Object (person/position/prize)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gun for” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tabloids are really gunning for the minister after that scandal.
- Which team are you gunning for in the finals?
American English
- The prosecutor is gunning for a maximum sentence.
- Everyone knew he was gunning for the vice president's job.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The new CEO is clearly gunning for the chairman's position.
Academic
Rare in formal academic texts; may appear in political science analyses of rivalries.
Everyday
Ever since I beat him at tennis, he's been gunning for a rematch.
Technical
Not typical in technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gun for”
- Using it literally (e.g., 'He was gunning for ducks' is wrong). Confusing with 'gun down'. Using without 'for' (e.g., 'He's gunning the promotion').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It almost always implies a hostile or aggressively competitive intent, even if the goal itself (like a promotion) is positive for the subject.
'Gun for' is more aggressive and targeted, suggesting the subject sees the object as an adversary or prize to be taken down/claimed. 'Go for' is more general and neutral about ambition.
Very frequently, yes (e.g., 'is gunning for', 'was gunning for'), as it describes an ongoing state of pursuit or intent.
Yes, but typically it's a position, title, record, or prize (e.g., 'gunning for the championship', 'gunning for the top spot'). It's less common for simple physical objects.
To be determined to defeat, harm, or acquire something/someone, often aggressively or with intense focus.
Gun for is usually informal, figurative. common in journalism, sports commentary, and competitive contexts. in register.
Gun for: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌn fɔː(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌn fɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a rival in a Western film, literally aiming a gun at a wanted poster of you. They are 'gunning for' the bounty (i.e., you).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION IS WARFARE / AMBITION IS HUNTING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'gun for' LEAST likely to be used?