Be Staring Down The Barrel Of Something

Pronunciation: /biː ˈstɛrɪŋ daʊn ðə ˈbærəl ʌv ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

Definitions of be staring down the barrel of something

verb action word that expresses a state of being or an action

Example Sentences

A1 I am staring down the barrel of a big exam next week.

A2 She was staring down the barrel of losing her job if she didn't improve her performance.

B1 The company is staring down the barrel of bankruptcy if they don't make some changes.

B2 As the negotiations broke down, it became clear that they were staring down the barrel of a long legal battle.

C1 The country is staring down the barrel of a major economic crisis.

C2 After the scandal broke, the politician knew he was staring down the barrel of a ruined career.

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

Example Sentences

A1 I am scared because I am staring down the barrel of a gun.

A2 She realized she was staring down the barrel of failure if she didn't study harder.

B1 The company is staring down the barrel of bankruptcy if they don't make some changes.

B2 After losing his job, he knew he would be staring down the barrel of financial ruin.

C1 The politician is staring down the barrel of a scandal that could end his career.

C2 The team knew they would be staring down the barrel of defeat if they didn't come up with a new strategy.

Examples of be staring down the barrel of something in a Sentence

formal The company could be staring down the barrel of bankruptcy if they don't make some drastic changes.

informal If you don't start studying now, you'll be staring down the barrel of failing that exam.

slang If you keep skipping work, you'll be staring down the barrel of getting fired.

figurative After missing so many deadlines, she knew she would be staring down the barrel of disappointing her team.

Grammatical Forms of be staring down the barrel of something

• past tense: was staring down the barrel of something
• plural: are staring down the barrel of something
• comparative: is staring down the barrel of something
• superlative: am staring down the barrel of something
• present tense: stare down the barrel of something
• future tense: will be staring down the barrel of something
• perfect tense: have been staring down the barrel of something
• continuous tense: is being stared down the barrel of something
• singular: is staring down the barrel of something
• positive degree: stare down the barrel of something
• infinitive: to be staring down the barrel of something
• gerund: staring down the barrel of something
• participle: stared down the barrel of something

Origin and Evolution of be staring down the barrel of something

First Known Use: 1900 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'be staring down the barrel of something' originated from the imagery of looking directly into the open end of a gun barrel, symbolizing a threatening or dangerous situation.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in a literal sense to describe being in a physically perilous position, the phrase has evolved to also convey facing a challenging or difficult situation with a sense of impending danger or threat.