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# son of a gun

phrase (noun phrase; idiom; exclamation; a son of a gun, sons of guns)

«son of a gun» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (informal, US) a mild stand-in for a much ruder insult about a person.
2. (friendly, US) a rascal or lucky fellow, said with affection ("you old son of a gun!").
3. (exclamation) used to show surprise or annoyance.

### In the lessons

Used in American casual talk and old Westerns; a softer way to say a rude insult, or a friendly tease; informal, US, Canada.

### Examples

- "Well, son of a gun! It's you!" said Grandpa when his old friend walked in.
- That son of a gun stole my parking space.
- "You lucky son of a gun, you won again!"
- The cowboy called the outlaw a son of a gun.
- "Son of a gun!" shouted Dad when he hit his thumb.
- My uncle calls his best friend an old son of a gun.

### Note

Can be friendly or angry, depending on tone. It replaces a ruder phrase. Not about a real gun or a real son.