machine gun
B2Neutral, but with strong technical and military associations. Figurative use is informal.
Definition
Meaning
An automatic, rapid-fire gun that uses bullets fed from a belt or magazine.
In figurative use, refers to anything that delivers a rapid, continuous series (e.g., words, questions, data).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; can be used attributively (e.g., machine-gun fire). Verb form 'to machine-gun' means to shoot with such a weapon.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term itself is identical. Figurative use ('a machine-gun delivery of facts') is slightly more common in UK media.
Connotations
Shared military and destructive connotations. In US context, often associated with gang violence and modern infantry; in UK, may have stronger historical WWII associations.
Frequency
Comparatively low in everyday speech, but high in military, historical, and action-film contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + machine-gun + [Object] (verb)[Determiner] + machine gun + [Prepositional Phrase/Modifier] (noun)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Figuratively: 'The CEO delivered a machine-gun list of demands.'
Academic
In historical or military studies contexts.
Everyday
Limited to discussions of news, history, or action films.
Technical
Precise in military, firearms engineering, and law enforcement contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The soldiers were ordered to machine-gun the enemy position.
- The old factory was machine-gunned by aircraft.
American English
- The gangsters machine-gunned the rival's car.
- The fortress had been machine-gunned from the air.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard. Figurative use only) He spoke machine-gun fast, barely pausing for breath.
American English
- (Not standard. Figurative use only) She fired questions at him machine-gun quick.
adjective
British English
- He was caught in machine-gun crossfire.
- The trench was raked by machine-gun bullets.
American English
- They took cover from machine-gun fire.
- He had a machine-gun style of speaking.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A machine gun can fire many bullets quickly.
- Soldiers sometimes use machine guns.
- The museum had an old World War I machine gun on display.
- The sound of machine gun fire echoed through the valley.
- The defensive position was reinforced with several heavy machine guns.
- His machine-gun delivery of jokes left the audience breathless with laughter.
- The technical evolution of the machine gun fundamentally changed infantry tactics.
- The lawyer proceeded to machine-gun the witness with a rapid series of pointed questions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a sewing MACHINE that stitches very fast. A MACHINE GUN 'stitches' bullets rapidly.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS RATE OF FIRE; ARGUMENT IS WAR (figurative: 'He machine-gunned his opponent with facts').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'машинный пистолет'. Correct term is 'пулемёт'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'machine gun' to refer to any rifle. Confusing 'machine gun' (crew-served/automatic) with 'assault rifle' (individual, selective fire).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a typical characteristic of a machine gun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun, typically written as two separate words: 'machine gun'. The hyphenated form 'machine-gun' is used when it functions as a verb or attributive adjective (e.g., machine-gun fire).
A machine gun is generally a heavier, crew-served or mounted weapon using full-power rifle cartridges. A submachine gun is lighter, portable, and uses pistol cartridges, intended for close-quarters combat.
Yes, though it is less common. 'To machine-gun' (hyphenated) means to shoot at with a machine gun (e.g., 'The aircraft machine-gunned the convoy').
No, the figurative use is informal and vivid. It is suitable for creative writing or journalism but not for formal academic or technical reports.
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