shootout

[shoot-out]

noun

1. a gunfight that must end in defeat for one side or the other, as between gunfighters in the Old West, criminal groups, or law-enforcement officers and criminals.

2. Slang.,  any military conflict or skirmish.

3. Slang.,  a high-scoring or intensely played game or tournament, as of basketball or ice hockey.

4. Soccer.,  a method of breaking a tie score at the end of overtime in which five players from each team alternate shooting at the opponent's goal, starting from a spot 35 yards (39 meters) from the goal line, in an attempt to kick the ball past the rival goalkeeper in under five seconds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shootout¹

1945–50; noun use of verb phrase shoot ( it ) out to settle a dispute with firearms

Example Sentences

The closest the defender came to silverware with the national side as a player was in 1996, when he missed a penalty in a semi-final shootout defeat by Germany at Wembley.

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“I could be at home, scared and hiding under the bed but I go out in front and have been in shootouts where we fight the delinquents.”

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The League Cup final ended 3-3 after extra time, Celtic winning it in a penalty shootout.

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Hampton, now 24, played all six matches at the Euros, saving two penalties in the decisive shootout against Spain in the final.

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As for the random shootout with Chris Paul of the Clippers to see who gets the engagement ring?

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Related Words

• bout