The soldiers used a Quaker gun to trick the enemy.
Quaker gun
idiomA nonfunctional imitation of a gun or an artillery piece, typically made of wood and usually intended to deceive enemy forces into overestimating one's available firepower.
Origin
disputed originFrom Quaker + gun, referring to the pacifism associated with practitioners of the Quaker religion.
To protect the fort, the commander placed a Quaker gun on the wall to make the attackers think they were well-defended.
Lacking actual artillery, the desperate defenders deployed a Quaker gun, hoping the mere silhouette of the log would deter an immediate assault.
- 01
big gun
A person, group, thing, or course of action that is powerful, influential, or particularly effective.
- 02
eat one's gun
To commit suicide, especially by use of a firearm discharged into the victim's mouth.
- 03
fire the starting gun
To launch or trigger an event or situation.
- 04
give it the gun
To cause a specific vehicle to accelerate; to open the throttle of an engine.
- 05
gun jumping
An act or instance of jumping the gun.
- 06
hired gun
A person who is employed to advance the interests of their employer, especially in a vigorous manner using such methods as political lobbying, legal advocacy, or persuasion.
- 07
jump the gun
To act or begin too soon or without due caution.
- 08
put a gun to someone's head
To compel someone (to do something); to create a situation in which someone has no alternative course of action.