Gat

A slang, primarily American, term with a somewhat obscure origin, 'gat' generally refers to a handgun or firearm, particularly one used illegally. The word's usage often implies a sense of danger, aggression, or association with criminal activity. It is a colloquialism often found in gangster films, urban literature, and rap music. While sometimes used broadly to describe any gun, the connotations lean towards a concealed or easily wieldable weapon rather than a larger, more traditional firearm. The etymology of "gat" is uncertain, although theories suggest it might be derived from the word 'gatling gun' or be a shortened form of a longer descriptive term. Its use has expanded into gaming and other areas and represents a certain level of aggression or power.

Gat meaning with examples

• The detective knew the perp had a gat; he could tell by the swagger and the buldge under the criminal's coat. The witness described the suspect’s gat as a small, black automatic pistol, emphasizing the fear she experienced. He refused to cooperate with authorities, certain his associates would come after him and his family with a gat, or something far more sinister. His life revolved around the underworld and he was constantly on guard, fearing anyone might draw a gat on him at any moment.
• In the action movie, the hero grabbed a gat and charged into the warehouse, ready to face his enemies. The rapper's lyrics frequently mentioned 'gats,' creating a vivid, albeit potentially controversial, picture of street life. During the argument, one of the guys pulled a gat and was arrested immediately. He lost his cool, and his hand instinctively went towards his waistband, implying he was armed with a gat.
• The security footage revealed the intruder brandishing a gat, clearly intending to cause harm, thus the situation quickly escalated. They discussed the risks involved in procuring a 'gat,' emphasizing the illegal nature of their planned activities. The video game's virtual weapons arsenal included a model described as a 'gat,' perfect for close-quarters combat. Although the protagonist only carries a gat, he can use a gat very well.
• The old-time gangster movie was filled with scenes of characters flaunting their gats and intimidating their opponents. The streets were dangerous, and they had to be constantly wary of anyone who might be carrying a gat. The graffiti on the wall contained warnings and an image of a gat, conveying threats. The journalist was trying to get a story, but the criminals were always flashing a gat to scare them away.