ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gunning

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɡənɪŋ// UK //ɡˈʌnɪŋ// gun·ning

v. to try very hard to get something or to defeat someone. You often use it when there is a lot of competition for a job or a prize.

v. striving intensely to achieve a specific goal or to displace a competitor. Often used in the progressive form with the preposition 'for'.


SIMPLE

Several young managers are gunning for the director's job.

CONTEXTUAL

After losing the championship last year, the team is gunning for a victory in the upcoming tournament.

COMPLEX

The investigative journalists were gunning for the corrupt official, meticulously documenting every financial discrepancy to ensure the story would lead to a formal inquiry.

Synonyms
Usage

Typically used in the continuous form ('gunning') and followed by the preposition 'for'.

Pitfall

He is gunning the promotionHe is gunning for the promotionIn this sense, the verb requires the preposition 'for' to connect to the target or goal.

© 2026 English Reference