ENGLISH
REFERENCE

shotgun approach

idiom
Meaning

An approach in which the subject is indiscriminate and haphazard, using breadth, spread, or quantity in lieu of accuracy, planning, etc.


Examples
SIMPLE

Using a shotgun approach to job hunting rarely works well.

CONTEXTUAL

The marketing team used a shotgun approach, sending emails to thousands of people who were not interested in our product.

COMPLEX

Rather than refining his research to target specific demographics, the professor employed a shotgun approach, gathering vast amounts of data in hopes that something significant would emerge.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    ride shotgun

    To accompany the driver of a vehicle on a journey as an armed escort (originally with a shotgun); (by extension) to accompany someone in order to assist and protect.

  2. 02

    shotgun wedding

    A wedding in which the bride is already pregnant.

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