Definition of shoot down

The phrase "shoot down" has its origin in aviation terminology, particularly during the era of air warfare in the 20th century. In this context, "shooting down" refers to the act of physically destroying an enemy aircraft in the air, typically through the use of small arms fire, artillery, or, most commonly, guided missiles or cannon fire from other flying aircraft. The term "shoot down" gained wider usage during World War II, as air combat became a major factor in many military campaigns. It is employed to describe the successful interception, pursuit, and destruction of an enemy aircraft by another aircraft, either by a trained fighter pilot or, more recently, by automated air defense systems. The verb phrase "shoot down" is a combination of the words "shoot" and "down," which has its own unique meaning. The word "shoot" refers to hitting a target with a weapon, while "down" refers to bringing an opponent to a lower position, such as the ground. Thus, the phrase "shoot down" refers to bringing an enemy aircraft down to the ground by shooting it, thereby causing it to crash or render it unusable. Outside of aviation terminology, the phrase "shoot down" is also used figuratively, to describe any attempt to bring someone or something down, often by attempting to discredit, criticize, or negatively impact their credibility or reputation. However, it does not carry the same literal significance as its original aviation meaning.