ENGLISH
REFERENCE

give it the gun

idiom
Meaning

To cause a specific vehicle to accelerate; to open the throttle of an engine.


Origin

disputed origin

Originally from the US.

Examples
SIMPLE

Give it the gun so we can pass this slow truck.

CONTEXTUAL

When the light turned green, he gave it the gun to merge quickly onto the busy highway.

COMPLEX

Realizing the storm was closing in rapidly, the pilot gave it the gun to gain altitude and clear the mountain pass before visibility dropped.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    big gun

    A person, group, thing, or course of action that is powerful, influential, or particularly effective.

  2. 02

    don't give up your day job

    Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.

  3. 03

    eat one's gun

    To commit suicide, especially by use of a firearm discharged into the victim's mouth.

  4. 04

    fire the starting gun

    To launch or trigger an event or situation.

  5. 05

    give a damn

    To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).

  6. 06

    give a fuck

    To care; to give a shit.

  7. 07

    give a good account of oneself

    To act in a creditable manner.

  8. 08

    give a hang

    give a hoot; give a damn (to care about; to place value on something)

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