shoot-'em-up

American  

[shoot-uhm-uhp] / ˈʃɒɒt əmˌʌp /

noun

Informal.

1. a motion-picture or television program that emphasizes gunplay, action, and often violence.

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shoot-'em-up British  

noun

1. a type of computer game, the object of which is to shoot as many enemies, targets, etc, as possible

2. a fast-moving film involving many gunfights, battles, etc

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Etymology

Origin of shoot-'em-up

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

“I guess I’m happier they are playing chess rather than some shoot-’em-up game.

From Washington Post • Apr. 15, 2023

It's a brawny tale attempting to imbue its shoot-'em-up action with brains and, if not a soul, then an intriguing level of artificial intelligence.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2022

You needed the sun, the constant 70-sum’n-degree temps, and Carolyn’s Kitchen, that dope soul food, shoot-’em-up joint in South Central that closed down years ago and reopened in California City about 1.5 hours away.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2021

Clothing that didn’t really qualify as clothing, but made the leap into costume of the most big screen blockbuster, shoot-’em-up video game kind.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2021

Their heads were adorned with matte black helmets, and they reminded him of characters in one of those shoot-’em-up military games.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro