shootout

American  

[shoot-out] / ˈʃutˌaʊt /

noun

1. a gunfight that must end in defeat for one side or the other, as between gunfighters in the Old West, criminal groups, or law-enforcement officers and criminals.

2. Slang. any military conflict or skirmish.

3. Slang. a high-scoring or intensely played game or tournament, as of basketball or ice hockey.

4. Soccer. a method of breaking a tie score at the end of overtime in which five players from each team alternate shooting at the opponent's goal, starting from a spot 35 yards (39 meters) from the goal line, in an attempt to kick the ball past the rival goalkeeper in under five seconds.

---

Etymology

Origin of shootout

1945–50; noun use of verb phrase shoot ( it ) out to settle a dispute with firearms

Example Sentences

Italy’s national soccer team failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

From The Wall Street Journal

Given the gut-wrenching nature of their penalty shootout defeat against Bosnia, it was understandable that many of them couldn't stomach this fixture.

From BBC

Wales head coach Bellamy is not trying to hide the fact that he and his players are still processing the "heartbreak" of their penalty shootout defeat at home to Bosnia.

From BBC

He did, however, also miss a penalty in the shootout as Japan were knocked out by Croatia in the last 16.

From BBC

The Kings are also bucking history since 18 of their losses have come in either overtime or a shootout.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bout