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shoot down meaning and examples

2025-09-29

Meaning

The phrasal verb “shoot down” has several meanings depending on the context:

  1. Literally: To hit and make something fall by shooting it (e.g., an aircraft or a target).
  2. Figuratively: To reject, dismiss, or criticize an idea, suggestion, or argument strongly.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Phrasal verb (transitive).

  • Pattern:

    • shoot down + object
    • Used both literally and figuratively.

Examples:

  • The fighter jet shot down the enemy aircraft. (literal)
  • The manager quickly shot down my proposal. (figurative)

Common Phrases

  • shoot down a plane
  • shoot down an argument
  • shoot down a proposal
  • shoot down rumors

Collocations

  • verb + down: shoot down, bring down
  • object: aircraft, idea, suggestion, argument, rumor, proposal

Examples

  1. The army shot down two enemy drones.
  2. She tried to share her plan, but her boss immediately shot it down.
  3. The scientist’s theory was quickly shot down by critics.
  4. The pilot managed to shoot down the missile before it reached the city.
  5. His hopes were shot down when the team rejected his idea.
  6. The rumor was shot down after the official statement.
  7. The teacher gently shot down the student’s unrealistic suggestion.
  • Literal: bring down, knock out
  • Figurative: reject, dismiss, quash, refute, counter

Antonym

  • accept, approve, endorse, support