gun for
Go after determinedly
To gun for something is to pursue it aggressively or determinedly: She's gunning for that promotion.
To gun for someone is to seek to harm, defeat, or get revenge on them: The whole department is gunning for him after what he said.
The phrase evokes the image of hunting with a weapon.
Object of pursuit
after · go after · set sights on · track down · zero in on · stalk · follow · trail
One who contends against
- competitorOne striving against others
- rivalOne who competes against
- enemyHostile opposing party
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
Retaliation for wrongs
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- score to settleGrievance requiring revenge
target
Object of pursuit
pursue · after · go after · set sights on · track down · zero in on · stalk · follow · trail
opponent
One who contends against
- competitorOne striving against others
- rivalOne who competes against
- enemyHostile opposing party
nemesis · challenger · contender · threat · target · adversary · foe
payback
Retaliation for wrongs
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
score to settle · get back at · retribution · vengeance · comeuppance
promotion
Rank increase or publicity
role · corner office · championship · record · prize · goal · win · success · victory · advancement
- pursuitchase, chasing, pursuit, chase down, pursue
- try phrasesgive it a shot, take a stab, have a go, try your luck, give it a whirl
gun forsit back
Relax without participating
let be · leave alone · ignore · bide one's time · rest on one's laurels
gun, guns, shotgun, handgun, gunning, gunner, gunned, machine gun, gunners