gunshy
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
gunshy (comparative more gunshy, superlative most gunshy)
- Afraid to use a gun.
- Frightened by the sound of gunfire.
- 2007, Paul Long, Training Pointing Dogs, 2nd edition, page 38:
- But very few dogs become gunshy if they are introduced to the bang while they are overcome with the delight of chasing game, particularly if the trainer begins with a light noise and works up to louder noises in easy stages
- (figurative) Fearing the consequences of repeating an act, especially after being reprimanded.
- After his last suggestion was laughed at by his colleagues, he was gunshy about making another suggestion.
- 2018, Mark Oliver Everett (lyrics and music), “There I Said It”, in The Deconstruction, performed by Eeels:
- You're gun shy / So am I / I understand with what you've been through