shoot a line

shoot a line
   to boast
   The imagery is probably not from whaling:
    He described his journey to Marseille, but left out the more adventurous episodes, deterred by some residual airman's code against what the men called shooting a line. (Faulks, 1998)
   Nowadays you are as likely, if so inclined, to shoot the hull, of which more under bull3:
    No-one lingers, no-one sits down and shoots the bull. (Theroux, 1988, writing of the aftermath of a Chinese banquet, not of a Spanish corrida)
   Shooting the breeze is usually of male flirtation:
    Inside, oblivious of all this, are the two highway policemen, sitting at the counter and shooting the breeze with the waitress. (Bryson, 1989)
   The obsolete Scottish shoot among the doves, again meaning to boast, referred to the ease with which tame birds might be hit:
    A lady... had heard her husband mention... that such a gentleman... was thought to shoot among the doves. She immediately took the alarm and said to him with great eagerness... 'My husband says ye shoot among the doves. Now as I am very fond of my pigeons, I beg you winna meddle wi' them.' (HDD)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • shoot a line — ► shoot a line Brit. informal describe something in an exaggerated, untruthful, or boastful way. Main Entry: ↑shoot …   English terms dictionary

  • shoot a line — verb show off • Syn: ↑boast, ↑tout, ↑swash, ↑brag, ↑gas, ↑blow, ↑bluster, ↑vaunt, ↑gasconade • Derivatio …   Useful english dictionary

  • shoot\ a\ line — • drop a line • shoot a line v. phr. To write someone a short letter or note. Please drop me a line when you get to Paris; I d like to know that you ve arrived safely …   Словарь американских идиом

  • shoot a line Brit. — shoot a line Brit. informal describe something in an exaggerated, untruthful, or boastful way. → shoot …   English new terms dictionary

  • shoot a line — See: DROP A LINE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • shoot a line — See: DROP A LINE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • shoot a line —  1. Boast, n. line shooter Boaster.  2. Talk too much …   A concise dictionary of English slang

  • shoot a line — boast, show off …   English contemporary dictionary

  • shoot — ► VERB (past and past part. shot) 1) kill or wound (a person or animal) with a bullet or arrow. 2) cause (a gun) to fire. 3) move suddenly and rapidly. 4) direct (a glance, question, or remark) at someone. 5) film or photograph (a scene, film,… …   English terms dictionary

  • shoot — [c]/ʃut / (say shooht) verb (shot /ʃɒt / (say shot), shooting) –verb (t) 1. to hit, wound, or kill with a missile discharged from a weapon. 2. to execute or put to death with a bullet. 3. to send forth (arrows, bullets, etc.) from a bow, firearm …  

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