Context #1
Dana: Karen, I need to
buy a new shirt for my company dinner tomorrow night. I think I'm going to buy one of these
two. What do you think? Which one?
Karen: Well, the red
one with the yellow sleeves is interesting - and bright. It really catches the
eye! But the white and blue shirt will probably look better with your skirt.
I'm just not sure I like the pink buttons. Hmmm, I don't know. Let's ask Roger.
Dana: Roger, what do
you think of these two shirts? Which one would you buy if you were me?
Roger: Neither. They
are both ugly.
Karen: Wow. He really
shoots from the hip.
Context #2
Dear Professor
Andersen,
I wanted to write you
to ask if our group could submit our project again. Joseph and I did a
lot of research and planning. Fred, on the other hand, did very little
work. Fred knew this, so he promised Joseph and I he would read and organize
all of our work and put it all together. I guess he decided to shoot from the hip because none of our research was included -
and he didn't do any. Joseph and I are very worried about our grade.
Thank you for your
consideration,
Jane
Meaning: To say or do something without thinking carefully about it. This can be used in a positive or negative way. When this idiom is used, it can mean a person is direct and honest (positive) or careless and thoughtless (negative).
