at gunpoint

Idioms and Phrases

Also, at knifepoint . Under coercion, as in I'm going to hold him at gunpoint for that raise he promised me last year . Both these phrases were at first used literally and later also figuratively. [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

Boyle Heights and the MacArthur Park area, gaining their trust through friendly conversation in order to kidnap and rob their victims at gunpoint, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

It's also taking place in the West Bank, where Israel has built dozens of illegal settlements and Palestinians are routinely arrested, harassed or evicted from their homes at gunpoint.

From Salon

The extremist settler who runs it, Zvi Bar Yosef, was sanctioned this year by the UK and other Western governments for repeated acts of violence against Palestinians, including twice threatening families at gunpoint.

From BBC

Members would force security guards to the ground at gunpoint, zip-tie them and grab money bags before fleeing, according to law enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times

Ninety-seven lorries were lost and their drivers were forced at gunpoint to unload their aid after passing through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing with southern Gaza, in what is believed to have been one of the worst incidents of its kind.

From BBC