Conflict & War: English Vocabulary List

to suddenly fall on the ground, often as a way of avoiding danger

"Hit the dirt now."

"When the gunfire started the soldiers hit the dirt to avoid being shot by the enemy."

equipped with several weapons

"The soldiers were armed to the teeth."

"The soldiers were armed to the teeth with guns knives and grenades before they entered the dangerous enemy territory."

to shoot bullets from a gun

"The criminal threatened to bust a cap."

"The desperate robber, cornered by police, threatened to bust a cap if they didn't let him escape."

said to an enemy before shooting them dead with a gun

"You will eat lead now!"

"The outlaw sneered, "You've got nowhere to run, so eat my lead!" before firing his pistol."

someone or something that lacks enough defense or protection and is easy to be targeted

"The slow-moving soldier is a sitting duck for the sniper."

"The soldiers were sitting ducks as they crossed the open field without cover."

in the position or state of readiness for answering any attack or criticism

"The boxer went on the offensive."

"The boxer went on the offensive and attacked his opponent with a series of powerful punches in the third round."

used for referring to a recent war or conflict

"The country is recovering from a late unpleasantness."

"The country is recovering from a late unpleasantness and people are still healing from the war."

to use a sword in order to murder or execute someone

"The army put their enemies to the sword."

"The invading army put the entire village to the sword and spared nobody including women and children."

to die while actively engaged in one's work, often in a heroic or dedicated manner

"He died with his boots on."

"My grandfather was a true soldier who died with his boots on while serving his country bravely."

to become really annoyance to the point where one might do something stupid to get rid he anger or frustration

"He was annoyed greatly."

"The constant criticism made him so angry that he felt like he might blow his brains out."

to discharge a large number of bullets or explosives

"They let loose their guns."

"During the chaotic battle, the soldiers were ordered to let loose a barrage of artillery fire towards the enemy lines."

to fight one's enemies or attackers that pursue one

"The wolf stood at bay, cornered by the hunters."

"The cornered animal stood at bay and growled fiercely at the hunters who had trapped it against the cliff wall."

to argue or fight until a disagreement is resolved

"They will duke it out."

"The two boxers will duke it out in the ring for the world championship title tonight."

an area that is dangerous or not allowed for people to use for a particular purpose

"Stay out of the red zone."

"The construction site was declared a red zone due to the unstable scaffolding and potential collapse."

to shoot someone in their head and kill them

"They blew his brains out."

"The gangster was accused of violently blowing his brains out after a botched robbery."

to engage in a physical fight, typically using one's fists

"They will duke it out."

"The two rivals agreed to duke it out in the boxing ring to settle their long-standing feud."