How to Use the Word “Shoot” in English

If you’ve watched English-language movies, you’ve likely heard phrases with the word “shoot.” In English, “shoot” has several meanings. For example, it can mean to fire a projectile from a weapon, to take a photograph or video, or to express rapid growth or forward movement. Let’s look at a few examples:

• Fire a projectile from a weapon: The soldiers shot at the target during training.
• Take a photograph or video: She loves to shoot landscapes with her camera.
• Rapid growth or forward movement: The company’s profits shot up after the new product launch.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common phrasal verbs with “shoot,” their meanings, and examples of usage. This will help you better understand how this word is used in English and how to correctly use it in various situations.

Phrasal Verbs with “Shoot”, Their Meanings and Examples

Shoot up

• Rise sharply  – “The prices shot up overnight.”
• Inject drugs   – “The addict shot up in the alley.”
• Grow quickly (about children) – “My nephew has really shot up this year.”
• Shoot at (a place)  – “The criminals shot up the store.”

Shoot up to

• Rise to a certain level – “The company’s profits shot up to record levels last quarter.”

Shoot down

• Bring down (an aircraft, bird) – “The enemy shot down two fighter jets.”
• Reject (an idea, proposal) – “The boss shot down my proposal.”

Shoot for

• Aim for something, try to achieve – “We’re shooting for a 20% increase in sales.”

Shoot off

• Leave quickly – “He shot off as soon as the bell rang.”
• Send (a message, letter) quickly – “I’ll shoot off an email to the client.”

Shoot through

• Escape, disappear – “The thief shot through the back door.”

Shoot the breeze

• Chat casually – “We spent hours shooting the breeze on the porch.”

Shoot oneself in the foot

• Harm oneself unintentionally – “He shot himself in the foot by lying on his resume.”

Shoot out

• Eject, fly out – “The cork shot out of the champagne bottle.”
• Shootout – “There was a shoot-out between the police and the robbers.”

Shoot back

• Return fire – “The soldiers shot back at the enemy.”
• Reply quickly – “She shot back a witty reply.”

Shoot ahead

• Move forward quickly, take the lead – “Our team shot ahead in the last quarter of the game.”

Shoot away

• Fire repeatedly – “The soldiers were shooting away at the targets during the training session.”
• Talk continuously – “He started shooting away about his adventures in Africa.”