smoking gun
Evidence, particularly of a crime, that is difficult or impossible to dispute.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The missing money is the smoking gun in this case.”
“The detective found a hidden email that served as the smoking gun, proving the manager knew about the fraud.”
“Although the suspect maintained his innocence, the discovery of the encrypted files provided the smoking gun that ultimately led to his conviction.”
Often traced back to the Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of the Gloria Scott.
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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
go great guns
To perform particularly well; to be particularly successful.
- 06
gun jumping
An act or instance of jumping the gun.
- 07
guns blazing
With much force or bravado.
- 08
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.
Last updated August 10, 2026