outgun
C1Semi-formal to informal. Used primarily in journalism, business, sports, and informal comparison contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To have or use more or better guns/firepower than an opponent.
To surpass, defeat, or overpower someone in terms of resources, numbers, quality, or effectiveness.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In its literal sense, a term from military/combat contexts. Its metaphorical use implies a one-sided victory or advantage, often in competitive, non-military scenarios. It connotes a quantitative, technological, or resource-based superiority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. US usage more common in sports and tech journalism (e.g., 'outgunned' in specs). UK usage slightly more common in figurative business/political contexts.
Connotations
Similar for both: suggests decisive but not necessarily permanent advantage. Implies action, not just potential.
Frequency
Comparably common in both varieties; slightly more frequent in US media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SUBJECT] outguns [OBJECT] (in/on something)BE outgunned (by [AGENT])[SUBJECT] is/are outgunnedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Armed to the teeth (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe a company with superior marketing budget, technology, or market share: 'The start-up was outgunned by the tech giant's advertising blitz.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical, military, or security studies texts discussing force disparities.
Everyday
Used informally for comparisons of personal resources or abilities: 'Their team outgunned us in the debate with their facts.'
Technical
Used in military/wargaming analysis, or in computing/gaming to describe hardware/performance advantages.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The home side outgunned their rivals in a thrilling 4-0 victory.
- The new budget will outgun last year's spending.
- Our local chip shop can't outgun the big chains on price.
American English
- Their defense was completely outgunned in the second half.
- The new smartphone outguns its competitors on processing speed.
- We were hopelessly outgunned in the fundraising drive.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The blue team outguns the red team in the game.
- They have more players; they outgun us.
- In terms of advertising, the bigger company can always outgun the smaller one.
- Their army was outgunned and had to retreat.
- Despite being outgunned in terms of funding, the activists' campaign was more creative and effective.
- The prosecutor was outgunned by the defence's team of expert witnesses.
- Strategically, the insurgents avoid conventional battles where they would be decisively outgunned.
- The new policy was designed to prevent any single nation from outgunning its neighbours in the region.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a video game where one character has a BIGGER GUN (out-gun) and easily wins.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION IS WARFARE, ADVANTAGE IS SUPERIOR FIREPOWER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'outrun' (опередить в беге).
- Not directly related to 'outnumber' (превосходить численно), though context may overlap.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a noun ('an outgun'). It is only a verb.
- Confusing 'outgunned' (state/result) with 'outgunning' (action).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'outgun' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is now more commonly used metaphorically in competitive contexts like business, sports, and politics.
No, it is a transitive verb. You outgun *someone/something*. The past participle 'outgunned' can be used adjectivally (e.g., 'They felt outgunned').
'Outgun' strongly implies an advantage in resources, power, or equipment leading to a decisive edge. 'Outdo' is more general and can refer to simply performing better through skill or effort.
It implies a significant, often overwhelming, advantage in capacity, but it doesn't guarantee the final outcome. One can be 'outgunned' yet still win through other means like strategy or morale.