smoking gun

USAGE SUMMARY

"smoking gun" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that provides undeniable evidence of wrong-doing. For example: The release of the emails was the smoking gun that finally proved the company was guilty of fraud.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There's no smoking gun.

The New York Times

It's a smoking gun.

Stanford University

Not another smoking gun.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Everybody wants this smoking gun.

The New York Times

"This is the smoking gun.

University of California, Berkeley

Is there a smoking gun?

The Guardian

"There was no smoking gun.

The New Yorker

Then the smoking gun appeared.

The New York Times

Here it is: the smoking gun.

Independent

One made without a smoking gun.

The New York Times

The smoking gun had finally been found.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal legal or scientific papers, consider swapping the idiom for more literal terms like "conclusive evidence" or "irrefutable findings" to maintain a neutral tone

Common error

Avoid using "smoking gun" to describe circumstantial or weak clues. If the evidence is not definitive, calling it a "smoking gun" can damage your credibility as a writer. Use terms like "suggestive evidence" instead if the proof is not absolute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smoking gun" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase. It acts as the subject or object in a sentence to denote a singular, powerful piece of evidence. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted as correct and idiomatic in modern English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smoking gun" is a robust and highly evocative idiom that has successfully transitioned from detective fiction to the highest levels of journalism and academia. Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct and common phrase, backed by thousands of examples in prestigious publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post. While it remains a metaphor, its ability to concisely convey the concept of undeniable evidence makes it an indispensable tool for writers across disciplines. When using it, ensure the evidence you are describing truly warrants such a definitive label, or opt for a more literal synonym like "conclusive evidence" for a more clinical tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conclusive evidence

Provides a more formal and literal alternative for academic or legal writing

indisputable proof

Emphasizes that the evidence cannot be challenged or argued against

irrefutable evidence

Highly formal term often used in scientific or high-level investigative reporting

damning evidence

Specifically highlights the incriminating nature of the proof

hard evidence

Focuses on the factual and tangible nature of the proof rather than the metaphor

clinching evidence

Suggests the evidence that finally settles a dispute or case

clear-cut proof

Describes evidence that is easy to understand and unambiguous

incriminating fact

Focuses on a specific detail that suggests guilt

tangible proof

Refers to physical evidence that can be clearly observed

manifest evidence

A very formal way to say the evidence is obvious and clear

FAQs

How do I use "smoking gun" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a definitive discovery, such as: "The leaked memo was the "smoking gun" that proved the executive knew about the defect." If you prefer a less metaphorical style, try "conclusive proof".

What is a formal synonym for "smoking gun"?

A highly formal alternative frequently used in research is "irrefutable evidence" or "manifest proof".

Is "smoking gun" always related to a crime?

No, while it originated in criminal contexts, it is now common in science and business. For example, a researcher might find a "definitive link" between two variables and refer to it as the "smoking gun" for their theory.

What is the difference between a "smoking gun" and circumstantial evidence?

A "smoking gun" is direct, undeniable proof, whereas "circumstantial evidence" only suggests a conclusion by inference.