Have shot your bolt
verb phrase
To have used up all of your efforts or resources and not have the ability to do any more.
The politician has shot his bolt on the campaign trail, and has nothing new to offer to the voters.
Often appears as...
- he has shot his bolt
- i have shot my bolt
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To have used up all of your efforts or resources and not have the ability to do any more.
The politician has shot his bolt on the campaign trail, and has nothing new to offer to the voters.
Often appears as...
- he has shot his bolt
- i have shot my bolt
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Origin
The phrase comes from crossbow archery, where a 'bolt' is a type of arrow, symbolizing used-up effort.
After applying to dozens of jobs without success, I felt I had shot my bolt.
Pro Tip 2/3Common Misuse
Don't confuse it with 'shooting oneself in the foot', which means causing self-harm by mistake.
He didn't shoot himself in the foot; he simply had shot his bolt with nowhere to go.
Pro Tip 3/3Use in Failure
It's often used when someone has failed after giving their all, not just when they're tired.
The team had shot their bolt in the first half and lost the game.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Origin
The phrase comes from crossbow archery, where a 'bolt' is a type of arrow, symbolizing used-up effort.
After applying to dozens of jobs without success, I felt I had shot my bolt.
Pro Tip 2/3Common Misuse
Don't confuse it with 'shooting oneself in the foot', which means causing self-harm by mistake.
He didn't shoot himself in the foot; he simply had shot his bolt with nowhere to go.
Pro Tip 3/3Use in Failure
It's often used when someone has failed after giving their all, not just when they're tired.
The team had shot their bolt in the first half and lost the game.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Origin
The phrase comes from crossbow archery, where a 'bolt' is a type of arrow, symbolizing used-up effort.
After applying to dozens of jobs without success, I felt I had shot my bolt.
Pro Tip 2/3Common Misuse
Don't confuse it with 'shooting oneself in the foot', which means causing self-harm by mistake.
He didn't shoot himself in the foot; he simply had shot his bolt with nowhere to go.
Pro Tip 3/3Use in Failure
It's often used when someone has failed after giving their all, not just when they're tired.
The team had shot their bolt in the first half and lost the game.
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