gunned him down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gunned him down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is shot, often in a violent or aggressive manner. Example: "The police reported that the suspect gunned him down in broad daylight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

On February 11 , 1988 the eve of Majrooh's sixtieth birthday, two assassins gunned him down in his home.

The New Yorker

As discontent grew, Sankara was caught off guard when gunmen burst into his office and gunned him down, along with 12 aides in October 1987.

The Guardian

He was escorted from his airplane by two soldiers, who gunned him down on a side stairway leading to the tarmac.

The New York Times

Khan's son heard reports that there had been an assassination attempt on his father, and drove to the General's house, where Naibzadah's bodyguards gunned him down, along with others.

The New Yorker

When the exchange between lawyers became heated, Sánchez leaped to his feet: "I witnessed my first shooting at 13, when my best friend died in my arms after the police gunned him down," he said.

The Guardian

In the 1970s, he recalled, "my wife and I used to go to art films at the Biograph," the movie house where Dillinger spent his last night watching the Clark Gable gangster film "Manhattan Melodrama" before F.B.I. agents gunned him down on the street outside.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

In an early scene, he interviews a Latin-American dictator just as an assassin guns him down: "And down!

The New Yorker

The townsfolk gun him down in his own personal "Watson payday".

The New York Times

Was Annika really Lukas's rooftop sniper (I'm not sure I buy that he "expanded too heavily") and did she then gun him down from a moving car? Maybe, but why?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Suddenly a group of wounded Vietnamese appear and gun him down.

Wikipedia

Before Doc can make his first trip, the Libyans appear in a van and gun him down.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gunned him down" to vividly describe a shooting, particularly when emphasizing the sudden and violent nature of the act. It's suitable for narratives or reports where impactful language enhances the portrayal of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "gunned him down" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "shot and killed him" might be more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong connotation of violence and may not be suitable for all audiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gunned him down" functions as a verb phrase, acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes a specific action performed upon the subject, conveying a violent act of shooting someone until they are incapacitated or killed. Ludwig examples showcase this usage across various news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gunned him down" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe a violent shooting. According to Ludwig, it is primarily found in news and media contexts, aiming to vividly depict an act of violence. While grammatically correct, it is recommended to use more formal alternatives like "shot and killed him" in academic or professional writing. When used appropriately, this phrase effectively conveys the sudden and forceful nature of a shooting event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shot him dead

Emphasizes the result of the shooting: death.

shot and killed him

More descriptive and straightforward, specifying both the action and its consequence.

fatally shot him

Highlights the lethal nature of the shooting.

executed him by shooting

Suggests a deliberate and planned killing.

assassinated him with gunfire

Implies a politically motivated or high-profile killing.

took him out with a firearm

Informal way to express the act of killing with a gun.

brought him down with bullets

Focuses on the act of causing someone to fall or be defeated by shooting them.

eliminated him with a gun

Suggests a calculated removal or termination.

opened fire on him, killing him

Details the act of initiating gunfire and resulting in death.

killed him in a hail of bullets

Emphasizes the intensity and violence of the shooting.

FAQs

What does "gunned him down" mean?

The phrase "gunned him down" means to shoot someone with a gun, often multiple times, resulting in their death. It usually implies a violent and sudden attack.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "gunned him down"?

It is appropriate to use "gunned him down" in news reports, crime stories, or narratives where you want to convey the violent and abrupt nature of a shooting. However, avoid using it in formal or academic writing where a more neutral tone is preferred.

What are some alternatives to "gunned him down"?

Alternatives include "shot and killed him", "fatally shot him", or "executed him by shooting" depending on the specific context and level of formality required.

Is "gunned him down" considered formal or informal language?

"Gunned him down" is generally considered informal language. It is more common in journalistic or narrative contexts to create a dramatic or impactful effect, whereas more formal contexts would call for something more neutral such as "shot and killed".