shoots from the hip

Acts without deliberation

To shoot from the hip is to speak or act impulsively, without careful deliberation—like a gunslinger firing without raising the weapon to aim.

The phrase often describes someone who says whatever comes to mind: She shoots from the hip, which gets her in trouble sometimes.

It can be refreshingly direct or recklessly careless depending on context.

Related

snap judgment · boldness · aim · candor · tell it like it is · directness · speak your mind · frankness · instinctiveness · impetuousness · loose cannon · improvisation · off-the-cuff · audacity · unpredictability · immediacy · daring · recklessness

Opposites
deliberation and planning

shoots from the hipcalculated

Figured out mathematically

deliberate · methodical · careful · measured · premeditated

caution and risk tolerance

shoots from the hipcautious

Careful to avoid risk

risk-averse · errs on the side of caution · prudent · conservative · guarded

communication style

shoots from the hipdiplomatic

Tactful and sensitive

tactful · guarded · scripted · hedges · polished

Family

shoot, shoots, shot, shooting, shooter, shooters

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG