both barrels en · NOUN
Etymology
In reference to discharging both barrels of a double-barrelled shotgun simultaneously rather than one at a time.
Meanings
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(figuratively, informal, plural, plural-only) The maximum damage that a weapon can deliver.
to let someone have both barrels
to hit someone with both barrels
to give someone both barrels
Rightwing media mouthpieces and ICE get both barrels in South Park’s latest zeitgeist-capturing satire.
2025 August 7, Zach Vasquez, “From puppy murder to racist podcasts: South Park’s anti-deportation episode is utterly ruthless TV”, in The Guardian, →ISSN: