Shoot from the Hip – Conversation Practice

Rachel: I disagree with our President’s style.

Trisha: Why is that? What do you not like about him?

Rachel: Whenever he is dealing with a crisis or a difficult situation, he just shoots from the hip.

Trisha: I’ve never heard that expression. What does ‘shoot from the hip’ mean?

Rachel: It means that he doesn’t plan well or have a strategy. He just reacts suddenly and recklessly. It’s like shooting a gun without aiming.

Trisha: That describes our President perfectly. But some people like that style.

Rachel: I know that some people like that, but I am not one of them. I can’t stand it.

Trisha: I feel the same way. Anyway, let’s not talk about politics. Let’s talk about something else.

1. to shoot from the hip: to do something without any planning or careful consideration

  • His management style is to shoot from the hip.

  • She doesn’t plan anything. She just shoots from the hip.

2. to deal with a crisis: to take care of or handle an extremely difficult and urgent situation

  • We are currently dealing with a crisis.

  • The government is trying to deal with the housing crisis.

3. I can’t stand it.: I hate it.; I really don’t like it.

  • She wears too much perfume. I can’t stand it.

  • There are many people smoking at the bus stop. I can’t stand it.