lined up and shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lined up and shot" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an instance of a group of people being ordered to stand in a line and, as a result, facing a form of execution. For example, you could say: "The prisoners were lined up and shot by the firing squad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Sacred cows were lined up and shot down with the steely efficiency of an abattoir - rape victims, 9/11 widows, sick children, vaginal deodorants, Brazilian waxes for babies.

Independent

That the defendants were not simply lined up and shot, as Winston Churchill would have preferred, reflected, as Jackson put it, "one of the most significant tributes that power has ever paid to reason".

The Guardian - Opinion

There, they were taken off the trucks in small groups, lined up and shot.

Independent

Their chests heaving in exhaustion, they silently lined up and shot free throws.

The New York Times - Sports

art show, he said, "Tem que fuzilar os autores dessa exposição" — they should be lined up and shot.

The New Yorker

Eight other death-row inmates, also dressed in white and blindfolded if they choose, will be lined up and shot simultaneously.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Local police said they were robbed, lined up and then shot one by one.

The Guardian

Tribal leaders said Sunday's victims, who reportedly included 10 women and children, were lined up and publically shot as punishment for what IS sees at the tribe's resistance.

BBC

When the critics line up and shoot your rhetoric full of holes, just roll out the googly-eyed pups.

Huffington Post

Reuters, citing activists in Hama, said that government security forces had lined up and fatally shot 13 men and boys from one extended family in the village of Kfartoun in Hama Province.

The New York Times

They dragged them to the road, lined them up and shot them.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lined up and shot" to convey a sense of cold, calculated execution, often in situations of conflict or injustice. It emphasizes the dehumanization of the victims.

Common error

Avoid using "lined up and shot" in situations where the violence is not literal or the context is not serious. Overusing it can diminish its impact and appear insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lined up and shot" functions as a passive construction describing a specific act of violence. Ludwig confirms its usability, showcasing examples where it vividly portrays the execution of a group of individuals. It often emphasizes the cold and calculated nature of the act.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lined up and shot" is a grammatically sound phrase used primarily in news and media to depict calculated executions. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is widely used to convey brutality and injustice. While generally neutral in register, its graphic nature requires careful consideration of the audience. For less sensitive contexts, alternatives such as ""executed by firing squad"" or "eliminated" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

executed by firing squad

This alternative specifies the method of execution, which involves a group of people firing weapons.

summarily executed

This phrase implies an immediate execution without due process.

put to death

This is a more general and formal way to describe an execution.

eliminated

A more euphemistic term for killing someone, often used to downplay the violence.

taken out

An informal phrase suggesting someone has been killed, often in a planned way.

slaughtered

This term suggests a brutal and indiscriminate killing.

massacred

Describes the killing of many people, especially defenseless ones.

gunned down

Specifies that the killing was done with a gun.

liquidated

Often used in contexts involving organized crime or political purges.

removed from the equation

A very indirect and detached way to describe someone's death.

FAQs

How can I use "lined up and shot" in a sentence?

This phrase typically describes a scenario where individuals are arranged in a line and then executed by gunfire. For example, "The prisoners were "lined up and shot" by the firing squad".

What are some alternatives to "lined up and shot"?

You can use alternatives like "executed by firing squad", "summarily executed", or "put to death" depending on the level of formality and detail required.

Is "lined up and shot" too graphic for some audiences?

Yes, the phrase ""lined up and shot"" is quite graphic and might be unsuitable for sensitive audiences. Consider using a more euphemistic term like "eliminated" or "taken out" if you need to soften the impact.

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

"Lined up and shot" suggests a formal, organized execution. "Gunned down", on the other hand, usually implies a more sudden and less organized act of violence. While ""lined up and shot"" suggests order, "gunned down" implies spontaneity.