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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

shoot one's bolt en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To use up one's resources, especially a singular one or one not readily restored.
    • The war situation was going from bad to worse. The Greek army, facing the Italians in Albania, had shot its bolt by spring. The Yugoslav revolution of April, for which SOE claimed some credit (our people had been there and post hoc, propter hoc), was followed by the prompt invasion of Yugoslavia and occupation of Greece. 1968, Kim Philby, My Silent War, page 34:
    • We were playing checkers and, although I'd started off well, I seemed to have shot my bolt too soon.
  2. (slang) Of a male, to ejaculate.
    • ‘Holy-Jesus-fuckin’-Christ! I’m comin’! I’m shootin’ me bolt! I’m gonna fill ya twat with spoof!’ 1982, Paul Radley, My Blue-Checker Corker and Me, Sydney: Fontana/Collins, page 141:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
shot one's bolt Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
shot one's bolt Tense=Past lexicographic
shooting one's bolt Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
shoots one's bolt Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic

Synonyms

blow one's load · shoot one's wad · shoot one's load