shoot it out
B2 informal intransitive
In simple words
To fight with guns until someone wins, or to decide something with a final contest
Literal meaning: To resolve a standoff by exchanging gunshots — relatively transparent from context
Meanings
1 B2 informal
To engage in a gunfight in order to settle a dispute or confrontation
"The two gangs decided to shoot it out rather than negotiate a truce."
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To settle a sporting contest or competition through a decisive final round, such as a penalty shootout
"Neither team could score in extra time, so they had to shoot it out from the spot."
Usage notes
Often used in Western film/cowboy contexts. Figuratively used in sports (especially penalty shootouts in football) and business competition. The phrase is always used with the pronoun 'it': cannot say 'shoot the problem out'.
Commonly used with
penalty gunfight rival competition final showdown
Forms
Base
shoot it out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shoots it out
he/she/it
Past simple
shooted it out
yesterday
Past participle
shooted it out
have + pp
-ing form
shooting it out
continuous
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