What Does “Gun for sb” Mean?
“Gun for sb” means to deliberately target or go after someone, often with strong intention or hostility.
Introduction
The phrase “gun for sb” is an informal English expression used when someone is deliberately trying to harm, criticize, or compete strongly against another person. The “sb” in the phrase stands for “somebody.” This phrasal verb is often used in situations involving personal conflict, rivalry, or competition. Understanding the gun for sb meaning helps learners recognize when someone is being singled out or targeted, whether in a workplace, school, or social setting. It is important to know how to use this phrase correctly to avoid misunderstandings and to express situations where someone is under pressure or attack.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: gun for somebody
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to deliberately try to harm or criticize someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Gun for sb” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (somebody) either after “gun for” or between “gun” and “for,” but the most common and natural form is to place the object after the entire phrase.
- Correct: He is gunning for her.
- Less common but possible: He is gunning her for the promotion.
Note: In everyday use, simply say “gun for somebody” without splitting the phrase.
How to Use “Gun for sb”?
Use “gun for sb” when you want to express that someone is intentionally targeting or competing against another person. It often implies aggression, rivalry, or hostility. It can be used in professional settings, sports, or personal conflicts.
Examples of contexts include:
- A colleague trying to get someone fired.
- An athlete competing hard against a rival.
- A person criticizing someone repeatedly.
Examples
Imagine a work environment where one employee feels unfairly targeted by another.
Gun for sb in a sentence:
- She felt like her boss was gunning for her after the project failed.
- The politician was gunning for his opponent in the debate.
- After the argument, it seemed like he was gunning for me all week.
- They are gunning for the championship title this year.
- He’s definitely gunning for the top spot in the company.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse “gun for sb” with literal meanings involving guns or weapons. It is important to remember that this phrase is figurative.
- Incorrect: I will gun for you with my gun. (literal and incorrect)
- Correct: She is gunning for you in the competition.
- Incorrect: He guns for her. (less clear and awkward)
- Correct: He is gunning for her job.
Differences / Synonyms
“Gun for sb” is similar to “go after sb,” “target sb,” or “go for sb,” but it often has a stronger, more aggressive meaning.
- Go after sb: More neutral, can mean pursuing without hostility.
- Target sb: Neutral, more formal, focuses on selection.
- Gun for sb: Informal, implies hostility or strong competition.
Use “gun for sb” when you want to emphasize deliberate and sometimes aggressive intent.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects used with “gun for” and their meanings:
- Gun for a job: Compete strongly for a position.
- Gun for a promotion: Try hard to get a higher rank.
- Gun for someone’s spot: Try to replace someone.
- Gun for a championship: Compete to win a title.
- Gun for someone’s reputation: Attack or criticize someone.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of gun for sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Two coworkers discussing office politics:
Anna: I think Mark is really gunning for your position.
John: Yeah, I noticed he’s been trying to take over my projects.
Anna: You should be careful. He’s very competitive.
John: I will. I’m not going to let him get ahead that easily.
Practice
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
She is __________ the manager’s job because she wants a promotion.
- a) gunning for
- b) going on
- c) looking after
- d) running over
Answer: a) gunning for
FAQs
- Q: Is “gun for sb” a formal phrase?
A: No, it is informal and often used in casual conversations.
- Q: Can “gun for sb” be used positively?
A: Usually it implies competition or hostility, so it’s rarely positive.
- Q: What does “sb” mean in “gun for sb”?
A: “Sb” stands for “somebody” or a person.
- Q: Can “gun for” be used with things other than people?
A: It is mostly used with people, but sometimes with positions or titles.
- Q: Is “gun for sb” the same as “go after sb”?
A: They are similar, but “gun for sb” usually suggests stronger intent or hostility.
