gunned down

USAGE SUMMARY

"gunned down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the violent act of shooting someone or something. For example, "The robber was gunned down by the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She was gunned down by two men.

Independent

"I might get gunned down".

The New York Times

Two years later, she was gunned down in Moscow.

The New Yorker

Did you actually see him gunned down?

The New York Times

Barrow was ultimately gunned down in one.

The New York Times

Two cyclists gunned down on the street.

The Guardian

Its members have been gunned down in the streets.

The New York Times

And now the pirates have gunned down four Americans.

The New York Times

Last month, five Chechens were gunned down in Quetta, Pakistan.

The New York Times

The man "was gunned down," General Salangi said.

The New York Times

Two police officers were gunned down in her ward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gunned down" to clearly and concisely convey that someone was attacked and killed with firearms. It adds a sense of immediacy and violence to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "gunned down" metaphorically for situations that don't involve actual firearms. It can trivialize the impact of gun violence if applied inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gunned down" functions as a passive verb construction, describing the action of being shot, typically resulting in death. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is appropriate for describing violent scenarios where firearms are used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gunned down" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a violent act involving firearms, often resulting in death. According to Ludwig, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While direct and impactful, it should be used judiciously to avoid trivializing real-world violence. Alternatives like "shot dead" or "assassinated" can be considered depending on the specific context. The phrase's strength lies in its ability to convey the immediacy and severity of gun-related incidents, which is confirmed by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shot dead

Focuses directly on the act of shooting resulting in death.

fatally shot

Emphasizes the fatal outcome of being shot.

shot and killed

Similar to 'shot dead', but provides a slightly more detailed description of the event.

cut down in a hail of bullets

Highlights the intensity and violence of the shooting.

assassinated

Implies a planned and politically motivated killing.

murdered

A general term for unlawful killing, lacking the specificity of firearms.

taken out

Informal term implying someone was intentionally killed, often in a covert manner.

eliminated

Similar to 'taken out', suggesting a deliberate removal, often used in a criminal or political context.

taken down

Suggests a forceful or violent removal, but can be less fatal.

neutralized

A more clinical or detached term, often used in military or law enforcement contexts to describe incapacitating or killing an enemy or threat.

FAQs

How is "gunned down" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "gunned down" is generally used to describe a situation where someone is attacked and killed with a gun or multiple shots. For instance, "The protesters were "gunned down" by the regime's forces".

What are some alternatives to saying someone was "gunned down"?

You can use alternatives like "shot dead", "fatally shot", or "assassinated" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "gunned down" in a metaphorical sense?

While technically possible, using "gunned down" metaphorically is generally discouraged as it can diminish the seriousness of actual gun violence. It's best reserved for situations where firearms are involved.

What's the difference between "gunned down" and "shot"?

"Shot" is a general term indicating someone was hit by a bullet, while "gunned down" implies a more aggressive and often fatal shooting, suggesting the victim was targeted and repeatedly shot.