unholsters
Removes from holster
Unholsters means to draw a weapon from its holster—the fitted case that holds a handgun or similar item at the hip or under the arm.
The word appears most often in police reports and action narratives: The officer unholstered her weapon as she approached the vehicle.
Figuratively, to unholster something is to deploy a resource held in reserve.
Create with pencil
- quickdrawRapid weapon retrieval
- pullForce toward oneself
- extractConcentrated derived substance
- brandishWave something menacingly
whip out · reach for · grab · grip · sidearm · pistol · revolver · firearm
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- menaceSource of potential harm
- warningAlert about danger
- brandishWave something menacingly
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
aggression · provocation · coercion · gunpoint · hostile · dangerous · tense · volatile
Decisive final confrontation
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
- gunfightArmed combat with firearms
shootout · draw down · Mexican standoff · high noon · challenge · square off · stare down · tension
Active mental awareness
- preparednessState of being equipped
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- quick drawRapid weapon retrieval
reflexes · muscle memory · training · drill · practice · stance · posture · ready position
Guarding against harm
- self-defenseProtecting oneself from harm
- reactAnswer a stimulus
- guardWatchful defensive attention
- securityProtection from threat
officer · law enforcement · duty weapon · service pistol · patrol · concealed carry · permit · licensed
draw
Create with pencil
brandish · whip out · reach for · grab · grip · sidearm · pistol · revolver · firearm · handgun
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
escalation · aggression · provocation · coercion · gunpoint · hostile · dangerous · tense · volatile · standoff
showdown
Decisive final confrontation
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
gunfight · shootout · draw down · Mexican standoff · high noon · challenge · square off · stare down · tension · escalation
alertness
Active mental awareness
- preparednessState of being equipped
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
quick draw · reflexes · muscle memory · training · drill · practice · stance · posture · ready position · cocked
protection
Guarding against harm
- self-defenseProtecting oneself from harm
- reactAnswer a stimulus
- guardWatchful defensive attention
security · officer · law enforcement · duty weapon · service pistol · patrol · concealed carry · permit · licensed · armed response