point blank
Impossible to miss
Point blank describes a shot fired from so close that the bullet travels in a straight line without dropping—no need to aim high to compensate for gravity.
The phrase extends to any confrontation at very close range: He refused point blank to answer.
A point-blank question or denial is direct and unqualified, leaving no room for evasion.
Undeviating or to guide
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
- frankOpen and direct
- candidHonest and direct
- unequivocalAllowing one meaning only
forthright · plain-spoken · unvarnished · matter-of-fact · outspoken · explicit · unambiguous · honest
From nearby proximity
- nearShort distance away
- immediateHappening without delay
- directUndeviating or to guide
- short-rangeLimited in distance
face-to-face · intimate · adjacent · nearby · within-reach · nose-to-nose
Refusal to accept reality
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- flatLacking vertical variation
- categoricalUnconditional and explicit
- outrightComplete and unqualified
absolute · unconditional · emphatic · uncompromising · resolute · firm · total · complete
direct
Undeviating or to guide
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
- frankOpen and direct
- candidHonest and direct
unequivocal · forthright · plain-spoken · unvarnished · matter-of-fact · outspoken · explicit · unambiguous · honest · unflinching
close-range
From nearby proximity
short-range · face-to-face · intimate · adjacent · nearby · within-reach · nose-to-nose
denial
Refusal to accept reality
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- flatLacking vertical variation
- categoricalUnconditional and explicit
outright · absolute · unconditional · emphatic · uncompromising · resolute · firm · total · complete · stark
gunshot
Firearm's explosive report
bullet · target · rifle · pistol · execution · fatal · lethal · shotgun · discharge · ammunition
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- Shooting termstake aim, fire away, ready aim fire, on target, bulls eye
- Candor Phrasesto be honest, truth be told, honestly, frankly, to tell the truth
- combat rangeclose range, short range, medium range, long range, effective range
- distance phrasesstone's throw, arm's length, within reach, far away, nearby
- gunfireshoot, gunshot, artillery fire, fire, gunfire