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Smoking gun
01
a piece of evidence that is used to prove someone's crimes or wrong deeds
Idiom
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
smoking guns
What is the origin of the idiom "smoking gun" and when to use it?
The idiom "smoking gun" has its origins in the world of detective fiction and crime investigations. It gained wider popularity and usage in the 20th century. It is used in discussions related to criminal investigations, scandals, legal proceedings, or situations where conclusive proof is presented.
Examples
The hidden email was the smoking gun in the corruption case.
