violent language

our language reflects our violent ways; it also helps perpetuate them. Consider avoiding these common expressions: kill two birds with one stone, big gun/shot, going great guns, gun-shy, under the gun, shoot full of holes, shoot from the hip, shoot down, shoot one's mouth off, shoot oneself in the foot, shot in the dark, take a shot at, call the shots, straight shooter, big shot, quick on the draw, half-cocked, deploy, half the battle, win the battle but lose the war, pick your battles, battle scars, arsenal, smash hit, hit below the belt, on target, kick an idea around, crack the whip, hit on someone, how does that strike/hit you, knock someone dead/for a loop/out, knock heads together, take a beating, sock it to 'em, give a black eye to, haul someone over the coals, hit someone up for something, slap on the wrist, skin someone alive, search and destroy, beat the tar/stuffing/living daylights out of someone, call in/out the troops, hair-trigger, blow one's top, blow somebody away, skin someone alive, bite/snap/take someone's head off, blast them out of the water, explode onto the scene, blow up, blow them away/out of the water, twist someone's arm, loose cannon, nuke your coffee, meltdown, fallout, mobilize, strategic, dead meat, dead soldiers, closing ranks, bite the bullet, magic bullet, hit them where it hurts, take a stab at it, hit or miss, pack a wallop, wipe somebody out, beat one's brains out, knock one's head against a wall, knock oneself out, kill oneself with work, this'll kill you, this'll knock 'em flat, fight the good fight, hold the fort, in the trenches, make a killing, get someone in the crosshairs, attack an argument, tell war stories, deep-six something, a real coup, heads roll, spearhead the discussion, terminate people at work. After seeing this list, consider the cumulative effect on people who use and hear this language. See also knockout, military language, political language, violence.