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bring a knife to a gunfight. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
bring a knife to a gunfight, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
bring a knife to a gunfight in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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bring a knife to a gunfight will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
bring a knife to a gunfight, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Verb
bring a knife to a gunfight (third-person singular simple present brings a knife to a gunfight, present participle bringing a knife to a gunfight, simple past and past participle brought a knife to a gunfight)
- (idiomatic) To enter into a confrontation or other challenging situation without being adequately equipped or prepared.
1987, David Mamet, The Untouchables:Isn't that just like a wop? Brings a knife to a gun fight.
1994, Gus Lee, China Boy, →ISBN, page 310:That is why one should never bring a knife to a gunfight, a worm should not challenge Godzilla, and a chump should never box a boxer.
2006, Jeff Edwards, Torpedo, →ISBN, page xiii:e can shoot down missiles. . . . Our Kingfisher sonars can detect mines. . . . Our ships are hardened against chemical and biological weapons. But how do you stop a torpedo? . . . The best engineers in the business agree that nearly every class of torpedo currently being deployed has the capacity to sink one of our ships with a single shot. . . . e are the poor bastards that brought a knife to a gunfight.
Translations
to be inadequately equipped
See also