hail of bullets

USAGE SUMMARY

"hail of bullets" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where many bullets are being fired at once. For example, "The police tried to take cover as a hail of bullets rained down from the robbers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amid the hail of bullets, he fell.

The New Yorker

The hail of bullets spread uncertainty as well as carnage.

The Washington Post

That set off a hail of bullets that continued for nearly 45 seconds.

The New York Times

Coulibaly died in a hail of bullets when police stormed the building later that day.

Independent

(We even see someone in a car die in a hail of bullets, Sonny Corleone-style).

The New York Times

Munadi moved forward, shouting: "Journalist... journalist!" but fell in a hail of bullets, Farrell said.

The Guardian

How did the entire Carrington family survive being mown down in a hail of bullets?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

WPC Fletcher fell to ground in a hail of bullets and later died of her wounds.

The Guardian

In 2003 his predecessor, Archbishop Michael Courtney, died in a hail of bullets after mystery attackers ambushed his car.

The Economist

What if Butch Cassidy didn't die romantically in a hail of bullets in his Paul Newman prime?

The New York Times

The target of the shooting was an unoccupied black Honda, which was sprayed with a hail of bullets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hail of bullets" to vividly describe a scene of intense gunfire, particularly when emphasizing the sheer number and speed of projectiles. This phrase is useful in both narrative and descriptive writing to create a sense of danger and chaos.

Common error

Avoid using "hail of bullets" to describe a single gunshot or a small number of shots fired. The phrase implies a high volume and rapid succession of bullets. For a smaller number of shots, consider using "gunfire" or "shots fired."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hail of bullets" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It vividly describes an intense and dangerous situation involving numerous bullets being fired. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and appropriate in various contexts.

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, "hail of bullets" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that vividly depicts a scene of intense gunfire. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's a correct and useful phrase in writing. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase effectively conveys danger and chaos. While alternatives like ""barrage of bullets"" and ""volley of bullets"" exist, "hail of bullets" maintains its distinct impact. Remember to use it accurately to describe situations involving a high volume of rapid gunfire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barrage of bullets

Replaces "hail" with "barrage", focusing on a sustained and overwhelming attack.

volley of bullets

Emphasizes the simultaneous firing of multiple bullets, like a coordinated attack.

shower of bullets

Similar to "hail", but emphasizes the continuous falling of bullets.

torrent of bullets

Conveys the idea of a large, powerful, and continuous flow of bullets.

storm of bullets

Uses "storm" to highlight the chaotic and violent nature of the gunfire.

fusillade of bullets

A more formal term indicating a rapid and continuous discharge of firearms.

stream of bullets

Highlights the continuous and linear movement of bullets.

spray of bullets

Emphasizes the scattering effect of bullets fired in multiple directions.

rain of lead

A more figurative expression using "lead" to refer to bullets.

blizzard of bullets

Evokes a chaotic and overwhelming image of numerous bullets flying.

FAQs

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

You can use "hail of bullets" to describe a situation with intense gunfire. For example, "The soldiers were caught in a "barrage of bullets" as they crossed the field".

What phrases are similar to "hail of bullets"?

Similar phrases include "barrage of bullets", "volley of bullets", or "shower of bullets", which all convey a sense of intense and overwhelming gunfire.

Is "hail of bullets" a formal or informal expression?

"Hail of bullets" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for news reports, fictional writing, and descriptive accounts. It is not overly formal or informal.

Can "hail of bullets" be used figuratively?

While primarily used to describe literal gunfire, "hail of bullets" can sometimes be used figuratively to describe an overwhelming and intense barrage of criticism or attacks, although this usage is less common.