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a smoking gun

clear evidence of wrongdoing

In Headline Expressions

In more detail

1. (idiom) clear evidence that proves someone is guilty of something or responsible for something wrong

Examples

• The leaked emails were the smoking gun that proved the company knew about the safety problem.

How to use a smoking gun

Smoking gun is an idiom used when referring to clear, undeniable evidence that directly proves guilt or responsibility, typically in contexts involving crime, wrongdoing, or accountability. It suggests evidence so obvious and incriminating that it eliminates all doubt. The phrase originates from the image of someone caught holding a weapon immediately after a shooting.

Common phrases

• find a smoking gun
• discover a smoking gun
• the smoking gun for
• smoking gun evidence
• look for a smoking gun

Synonyms

smoking gun · clincher · proof · damning evidence · conclusive evidence

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'smoking gun' to refer to merely suspicious or suggestive evidence, when it should denote definitive proof that settles the matter beyond question.

Nearby in Headline Expressions

pass the buck, sit on the fence, a red line, a seat at the table, a wild card, dead in the water

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained