2. (American).—To strive hard; to make a violent effort: e.g., to gun a stock = to use every means to produce a ‘break’; when supplies are heavy and holders would be unable to resist.
In the Gun, phr. (old).—Drunk. For synonyms, see Drinks and Screwed.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue. Gun, s.v., he’s in the gun, he is drunk, perhaps from an allusion to a vessel called a gun, used for ale in the universities.
Son of a Gun. See Son.
Sure as a Gun, phr. (common).—Quite certain; inevitable.
1633. Jonson, Tale of a Tub, ii., 1. ’Tis right; he has spoke as true as a gun, believe it.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew.
1694. Congreve, Double Dealer, v., 20. All turned topsy-turvy, as sure as a gun.
1720. Gay, New Song of New Similes. Sure as a gun she’ll drop a tear.