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to call shotgun
01
to state that one will be sitting in the seat next to the driver in a vehicle
Humorous
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "call shotgun" and when to use it?
The idiom "call shotgun" has its roots in American slang and is associated with the practice of claiming the front passenger seat in a vehicle. The term "shotgun" originally referred to the guard or person armed with a shotgun who would sit next to the driver in stagecoaches for protection during journeys in the American West. Over time, this concept evolved into a popular game or informal system where individuals "call shotgun" to express their desire to sit in the front seat. This practice is often invoked playfully or as a way to assert one's right to the preferred seat in a vehicle.
Example
The siblings had a standing agreement that whoever called shotgun first got the front seat.
When the group decided to order takeout, she called shotgun to ride along and pick up the food.
He called shotgun as soon as they mentioned going out for a drive.
The friends laughed as they playfully argued about who called shotgun first for the ride to the concert.
Before the road trip, everyone rushed to call shotgun for the best view.
