beat the gun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Strategy called for Hunter-Reay to again wait until the closing moments of the session to make his final attempt, but this time he didn't beat the gun.

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2012

How many wealthy taxpayers began to "beat the gun," as President Roosevelt called it last fortnight, no man outside the Treasury knows for sure, but last week the public was given a clue.

From Time Magazine Archive

Beset by a flood of orders trying to beat the gun on allocations, President Guy Wainwright of Indianapolis' Diamond Chain & Mfg.

From Time Magazine Archive

Norway's Crown Prince Harald was so eager that he beat the gun in the last race, thus costing himself a chance for second place overall instead of eighth.

From Time Magazine Archive

Already we began to come upon a piece of artillery mired down, the horses dead beat, the gun left, and the horses double-teamed into the remaining pieces.

From The Falling Flag Evacuation of Richmond, Retreat and Surrender at Appomattox by Boykin, Edward M.