great guns

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adverb

Informal. in a relentlessly energetic or successful manner: The new president has the company going great guns.

interjection

(used as an expression of surprise, astonishment, etc.).

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of great guns

First recorded in 1870–75

Words nearby great guns

great-grandparent, great-grandson, great-granduncle, great gray owl, great gross, great guns, greathearted, great horned owl, Great Idaean Mother, Great Indian Desert, Great Khingan

How to use great guns in a sentence

When the Constitution drew near, the stranger hoisted the British flag and began to fire her great guns.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
The first thing the Wasp found at sea was a mighty gale of wind, that blew "great guns" for two days.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
But those were not the days of the great guns that can send huge balls six or seven miles through the air.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
For an hour her men fought bravely, but her great guns were of no use, and a white flag was raised.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various

As they swept down in front of the city the great guns of the forts sent out their balls.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various

Other Idioms and Phrases with great guns

great guns

Very energetically or successfully. This colloquial expression usually occurs in the phrase go great guns, as in They're going great guns with those drawings. The expression comes from British naval slang of the late 1700s, when blowing great guns meant a violent gale. Harry Truman used the term in Dear Bess (1945): “We have been going great guns in the last day or two.”

great gun. Also big gun. An important person, as in All the great guns came to the reception. This usage is heard less often today. [Slang; early 1800s] Also see big cheese.

Great guns! An expletive expressing surprise or astonishment, as in Great guns! You're not leaving now? [Late 1800s]