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Meaning & use

run and gun

adjective, noun·Advancedinformalsport

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UK/ˌrʌn ən ˈɡʌn/
US/ˌrʌn ən ˈɡʌn/

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a nounsportinformal

    Describing a fast style of play, especially in basketball, where a team pushes the ball up the court and shoots quickly.

    Grammar: Appears before a noun: a run-and-gun offense.

    Patterns

    • a run-and-gun offense
    • a run-and-gun style

    The coach prefers a run-and-gun offense that scores quickly.

    Their run-and-gun style wore out slower teams.

    Fans love the run-and-gun action of the final quarter.

  2. adjectivebefore a nouninformaltechnical

    Describing fast, handheld filming or shooting without much planning or setup.

    Grammar: Used for filmmaking and video games with fast shooting.

    Patterns

    • run-and-gun filmmaking
    • run-and-gun shooter

    He shoots run-and-gun videos at events with just a camera.

    The run-and-gun approach saved time on the documentary.

    It is a run-and-gun shooter with fast, simple levels.

  3. nounsingularsportinformal

    A fast style of play or action, especially in basketball, built around speed and quick shots.

    Grammar: Used with the: they play the run and gun.

    Patterns

    • play the run and gun

    The team plays the run and gun better than anyone.

    The coach switched to the run and gun in the second half.

    Tired defenders struggle against the run and gun.

Common combinations

run-and-gun offense
A run-and-gun offense needs fit players.
run-and-gun style
They won with a run-and-gun style.
run-and-gun filmmaking
Run-and-gun filmmaking suits quick news stories.
play run and gun
They like to play run and gun all game.

Synonyms and how they differ

fast break
A fast break is one quick attack, while run and gun describes a whole style of play.
up-tempo
Up-tempo describes a fast pace in general, with no focus on shooting.
free-wheeling
Free-wheeling suggests loose and unplanned action rather than fast offense.
fast-paced
Fast-paced is a neutral description, while run and gun refers to specific sport tactics.

Opposites

slow-pacedhalf-court

Word family

run verb
to move quickly
gun verb
to shoot or accelerate
gunner noun
a player who shoots often
runner noun
someone who runs

Commonly confused: run and gun or run and hide?

run and gun vs run and hide

Run and hide means flee from danger, while run and gun means fast, aggressive play or shooting.

Practice

The coach's ____ offense wore down the opposing team by pushing the pace and shooting early.

Make it your own

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