unholstering
Removing from holder
Unholstering is drawing a weapon—typically a handgun—from its holster.
The word appears in police reports, action narratives, and firearm discussions: The officer began unholstering his weapon as he approached the vehicle.
Figuratively, to unholster something is to bring it out for use after keeping it in reserve.
Create with pencil
- quickdrawRapid weapon retrieval
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- pullForce toward oneself
- extractConcentrated derived substance
reach · grab · grip · release · motion · swift · smooth · practiced
Active mental awareness
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- poisedCalm and controlled
- primedMade ready beforehand
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
prepared · responsive · attentive · watchful · anticipation · tension · instinct · trained
Source of potential harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- warningAlert about danger
aggression · hostility · danger · provocation · brandishing · standoff · showdown · tension
Guarding against harm
- self-defenseProtecting oneself from harm
- guardingActively protecting something
- responseAnswer to stimulus
- safeguardingPreventing harm or loss
shielding · counteraction · intervention · deterrent · last resort · protective · defensive · preemptive
Upholding legal codes
- officerAuthority figure in uniform
- policeCivil law enforcement
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
- marshalArrange in proper order
agent · duty · protocol · procedure · jurisdiction · rules of engagement · authorized · badge
draw
Create with pencil
extract · reach · grab · grip · release · motion · swift · smooth · practiced · instinctive
alertness
Active mental awareness
standby · prepared · responsive · attentive · watchful · anticipation · tension · instinct · trained · situational awareness
menace
Source of potential harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
warning · aggression · hostility · danger · provocation · brandishing · standoff · showdown · tension · coercion
protection
Guarding against harm
- self-defenseProtecting oneself from harm
- guardingActively protecting something
- responseAnswer to stimulus
safeguarding · shielding · counteraction · intervention · deterrent · last resort · protective · defensive · preemptive · justified
law enforcement
Upholding legal codes
- officerAuthority figure in uniform
- policeCivil law enforcement
- deputyAuthorized substitute or assistant
marshal · agent · duty · protocol · procedure · jurisdiction · rules of engagement · authorized · badge · uniform
unholsteringholstering
Securing in leather pouch
putting away · sheathing · securing · stowing · storing
holster, holsters, holstered, holstering, unholster, unholstered, unholsters, reholstered