SINCE 1828
shoot on sight
idiomDefinition of shoot on sight
: to immediately shoot (someone) one sees
The guards were ordered to shoot on sight anyone who tried to escape.
Comments on shoot on sight
What made you want to look up shoot on sight? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?
-
- Which came first?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?
Which word entered the English language first?
Take the quiz -
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Take the quiz -
Word Winder's CrossWinder
Play the game
Share shoot on sight
Resources for shoot on sight