hired gun
Paid outside expert
A hired gun is someone paid to fight, kill, or do aggressive work on behalf of others.
Originally literal—a gunfighter or mercenary employed for violence—the term now more often describes lawyers, consultants, or specialists brought in specifically to handle tough situations: The company brought in a hired gun to handle the hostile takeover.
The phrase implies someone effective but mercenary, loyal to the paycheck rather than the cause.
Paid military contractor
- contractorHired construction professional
- mercPaid soldier slang
- commandoSpecial operations soldier
- legionnaireSoldier in a legion
ronin · bounty hunter · paramilitary · guerrilla · combat veteran · war dog · foreign fighter · privateer
Paid professional murderer
- triggermanHired killer with firearm
- button manMafia assassin for hire
- cleanerAgent that removes dirt
- eliminatorWhat removes or destroys
liquidator · executioner · wet work · silencer · professional killer · hit · mark · target
Expert in one field
- expertHighly skilled practitioner
- freelancerSelf-employed service provider
- independent contractorSelf-employed person hired temporarily
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
troubleshooter · fixer · problem solver · consultant · temp · expertise · on retainer · engagement
Contractile body tissue
- heavyOf great mass
- goonEnforcer or simpleton
- bruiserLarge, intimidating fighter
- tough guyIntimidating, resilient person
legbreaker · strongarm · collector · thug · henchman · torpedo · intimidator · protection
Precision shooter
- sharpshooterExpert precision shooter
- long-rangeAcross great distances
- riflemanArmed soldier or NZ bird
- spotterSafety backup person
scope · ghillie suit · perch · nest · overwatch · bolt-action · caliber · windage
soldier of fortune
Paid military contractor
- contractorHired construction professional
- mercPaid soldier slang
- commandoSpecial operations soldier
legionnaire · ronin · bounty hunter · paramilitary · guerrilla · combat veteran · war dog · foreign fighter · privateer · sellsword
contract killer
Paid professional murderer
- triggermanHired killer with firearm
- button manMafia assassin for hire
- cleanerAgent that removes dirt
eliminator · liquidator · executioner · wet work · silencer · professional killer · hit · mark · target · contract
specialist
Expert in one field
- expertHighly skilled practitioner
- freelancerSelf-employed service provider
- independent contractorSelf-employed person hired temporarily
professional · troubleshooter · fixer · problem solver · consultant · temp · expertise · on retainer · engagement · billable
muscle
Contractile body tissue
tough guy · legbreaker · strongarm · collector · thug · henchman · torpedo · intimidator · protection · shakedown
marksman
Precision shooter
- sharpshooterExpert precision shooter
- long-rangeAcross great distances
- riflemanArmed soldier or NZ bird
spotter · scope · ghillie suit · perch · nest · overwatch · bolt-action · caliber · windage · zeroing
- Old Westcowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, sheriff, sheriffs
- gunslingersgunslinger, gunfighter, gunman, quickdraw, fast draw
- lawyerslawyer, attorney, defense attorney, defense counsel, counselor
- tough guystough guys, tough guy, thug, thugs, enforcer
- accomplicesaccomplice, accessory, co-conspirator, abettor, collaborator
- Assassinsassassin, John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, Brutus, Jack Ruby
hired guncompany man
Employee devoted to employer
salaried worker · lifer · insider · in-house counsel · in-house
hire, hired, hiring, mercenary, hitman, hires, hirer, hireling, rehire