barrage of bullets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'barrage of bullets' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a rapid series of bullets fired from a gun or machine gun in a single burst. For example, "He fired off a barrage of bullets, sending his attackers running for cover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

A barrage of bullets.

The New York Times

Then a barrage of bullets rang out.

The New York Times

Soon thereafter, a barrage of bullets hit the pro-government demonstrators".

The New York Times

He died in a barrage of bullets fired at him by four San Francisco policemen.

The Guardian

Gun! Gun!," at which point the police fire a barrage of bullets.

The New Yorker

Mr. Batsh added that "negotiations can only be stopped by a barrage of bullets and loud blasts".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It means that, if you go to see The Expendables, you'll basically be subjecting yourself to a constant barrage of bullet-holes and broken bones and pointlessly macho full-volume swearing.

The Guardian - Film

NATO and Afghan troops responded with barrages of bullets.

The New York Times

This came at the height of the crisis over the police shooting of Amadou Diallo, the unarmed African immigrant killed in a barrage of 41 bullets.

The New York Times - Books

Phumelele Gura survived a barrage of police bullets and more than two weeks in prison, where he lay awake listening to the sound of workmates allegedly being tortured.

The Guardian

And the family of Amadou Diallo, the Guinean immigrant who died in a barrage of police bullets in 1999, also sought the funeral home's services.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barrage of bullets" to vividly describe a rapid and overwhelming attack with gunfire. This phrase is best suited for dramatic or intense situations where the sheer volume of bullets is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "barrage of bullets" metaphorically to describe an overwhelming amount of something other than physical projectiles. Using it to describe a "barrage of emails" diminishes its impact and can sound inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barrage of bullets" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. It describes a specific event involving the rapid and intense firing of ammunition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barrage of bullets" is a powerful descriptor used to depict intense and overwhelming gunfire. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in News & Media contexts. It effectively conveys a sense of danger and chaos. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it metaphorically in non-violent contexts to maintain its intended impact. Related phrases such as "torrent of bullets" and "hail of bullets" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torrent of bullets

Replaces "barrage" with "torrent", emphasizing a continuous and overwhelming flow.

stream of bullets

Substitutes "barrage" with "stream", highlighting a continuous and directed flow of bullets.

hail of bullets

Uses "hail" instead of "barrage", suggesting a dense and heavy downpour of bullets.

spray of bullets

Replaces "barrage" with "spray", focusing on the dispersed nature of the bullets.

volley of shots

Shifts the focus to the individual shots fired, using "volley" to indicate a simultaneous or rapidly successive discharge.

fusillade of bullets

Replaces "barrage" with the more formal "fusillade", indicating a rapid and continuous discharge of firearms.

rapid gunfire

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the speed and intensity of the firing.

heavy gunfire

Focuses on the intensity of the firing, implying a large number of bullets being discharged.

constant shooting

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the firing.

intense gunfire

Highlights the force and severity of the shooting.

FAQs

How can I use "barrage of bullets" in a sentence?

You can use "barrage of bullets" to describe an intense and overwhelming gunfire, such as "The soldiers faced a "barrage of bullets" from the enemy."

What's the difference between "barrage of bullets" and "hail of bullets"?

While both phrases describe intense gunfire, "hail of bullets" suggests bullets falling from above like hailstones, while "barrage of bullets" simply implies a rapid and continuous stream of bullets from any direction.

What can I say instead of "barrage of bullets"?

You can use alternatives like "torrent of bullets", "stream of bullets", or "rapid gunfire" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "barrage of bullets" a hyperbole?

Whether "barrage of bullets" is a hyperbole depends on the context. If the gunfire is genuinely intense and overwhelming, it's a literal description. If used to exaggerate minor gunfire, it becomes a hyperbole.