rat-a-tat-tat
Machine gun sound
Rat-a-tat-tat imitates a rapid succession of sharp knocking or percussive sounds—a machine gun firing, a snare drum rolling, or someone rapping insistently at a door: The rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire echoed through the streets.
The word captures the staccato rhythm of repeated impacts.
Variants include rat-a-tat and rat-tat-tat.
Hinged room barrier
- knockerDoor-mounted striking device
- rapQuick sharp blow
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- poundingForceful repeated striking
fist · visitor · entrance · announcement · arrival · signal · threshold · wooden
Short, separated note style
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
- rapidMoving with haste
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- percussiveRelating to struck sounds
clatter · clacking · tapping · pattering · rattling · pounding · hammering · clicking
Continuous-fire firearm
- submachineCompact automatic firearm
- burstBreak apart suddenly
- roundsAmmunition or bout divisions
- automaticOperating without intervention
strafing · barrage · volley · salvo · ammunition · magazine · trigger · recoil
door
Hinged room barrier
pounding · fist · visitor · entrance · announcement · arrival · signal · threshold · wooden · echo
staccato
Short, separated note style
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
- rapidMoving with haste
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
percussive · clatter · clacking · tapping · pattering · rattling · pounding · hammering · clicking · clattering
machinegun
Continuous-fire firearm
- submachineCompact automatic firearm
- burstBreak apart suddenly
- roundsAmmunition or bout divisions
automatic · strafing · barrage · volley · salvo · ammunition · magazine · trigger · recoil · bullet
snare
Device for catching prey
cadence · rhythm · tempo · roll · paradiddle · rudiment · hi-hat · tom-tom · groove · solo
warfare
Armed conflict between groups
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- skirmishBrief, limited combat
- trenchesElongated ground excavations
infantry · assault · guerrilla · crossfire · firefight · battle · artillery · mortar · flak · sniper