nounmasculinepl: shotguns
espingarda
1. A firearm with a smoothbore barrel designed to fire a number of pellets (shot) in a spread pattern
The hunter carried a shotgun over his shoulder.
O caçador carregava uma espingarda sobre o ombro.
2. A seat next to the driver in a vehicle (slang usage)
I called shotgun so I could sit in the front seat.
Eu chamei shotgun para poder sentar no banco da frente.
3. A surprise or sudden action taken without warning (idiomatic)
They launched a shotgun approach to marketing.
Eles lançaram uma abordagem de espingarda para o marketing.
In Brazilian slang, 'shotgun' is commonly used among young people to claim the front passenger seat in a car. The firearm meaning follows the English tradition of hunting culture. In American culture, 'ride shotgun' is widespread informal usage, originating from the Old West practice of having an armed guard sit beside the stagecoach driver.
NYC Slang
shotgun - calling dibs on the front passenger seat
Related Idioms & Phrases
ride shotgun - to sit in the front passenger seat or accompany someone
shotgun approach - a broad, unfocused strategy
shotgun wedding - a forced or hastily arranged marriage
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