Shoot from the hip
verb
To act quickly or react without thinking carefully first.
Jim tends to shoot from the hip, so think twice before you take his advice.
Often appears as...
- tend to shoot from the hip
- always shoot from the hip
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
To speak honestly and directly.
I appreciate that you always shoot from the hip. It's refreshing to hear the truth.
Often appears as...
- appreciate when you shoot from the hip
- like to shoot from the hip
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
To act quickly or react without thinking carefully first.
Jim tends to shoot from the hip, so think twice before you take his advice.
Often appears as...
- tend to shoot from the hip
- always shoot from the hip
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
To speak honestly and directly.
I appreciate that you always shoot from the hip. It's refreshing to hear the truth.
Often appears as...
- appreciate when you shoot from the hip
- like to shoot from the hip
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Quick Decisions
The phrase is often used to describe someone who makes decisions or reacts spontaneously.
During the meeting, she had to shoot from the hip to solve the unexpected issue.
Pro Tip 2/3Impulsiveness Caution
Be aware that 'shoot from the hip' might suggest a person's actions or decisions could be reckless.
I admire his energy, but his tendency to shoot from the hip gets him into trouble.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Setting
Used in casual conversation, could be inappropriate in formal contexts like business discussions.
You're in a boardroom, not a chat room; don't shoot from the hip here.
Pro Tip 1/3Quick Decisions
The phrase is often used to describe someone who makes decisions or reacts spontaneously.
During the meeting, she had to shoot from the hip to solve the unexpected issue.
Pro Tip 2/3Impulsiveness Caution
Be aware that 'shoot from the hip' might suggest a person's actions or decisions could be reckless.
I admire his energy, but his tendency to shoot from the hip gets him into trouble.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Setting
Used in casual conversation, could be inappropriate in formal contexts like business discussions.
You're in a boardroom, not a chat room; don't shoot from the hip here.
Pro Tip 1/3Quick Decisions
The phrase is often used to describe someone who makes decisions or reacts spontaneously.
During the meeting, she had to shoot from the hip to solve the unexpected issue.
Pro Tip 2/3Impulsiveness Caution
Be aware that 'shoot from the hip' might suggest a person's actions or decisions could be reckless.
I admire his energy, but his tendency to shoot from the hip gets him into trouble.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Setting
Used in casual conversation, could be inappropriate in formal contexts like business discussions.
You're in a boardroom, not a chat room; don't shoot from the hip here.
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