shoot first and ask questions later
To take hasty, immediate action with serious consequences, without first adequately investigating the situation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Don't shoot first and ask questions later when you are angry.”
“The manager fired the employee immediately, choosing to shoot first and ask questions later instead of reviewing the facts.”
“In the heat of the crisis, the board decided to shoot first and ask questions later, a reckless strategy that ultimately destroyed their reputation.”
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ask after
To enquire about the health or progress (of someone).
- 02
ask around
To enquire of different people about something.
- 03
ask for it
To provoke an unwanted action; to invite a problem or fail to prevent one.
- 04
ask for the moon
To claim or desire something that one cannot have.
- 05
ask my arse
A common reply to any question; once common at court and among sailors, under the name of "selling bargains".
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ask round
To enquire of several people.
- 07
blink first
To be the first party in some situation to give in or back down.
- 08
burning question
An important and pertinent question that urgently requires an answer.
Last updated August 10, 2026