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idioms - "Gun an engine" vs. "Rev an engine"



The driver of the van brakes sharply at every red light or junction and guns the engine when we move off. I begin to sweat—travelling sideways isn't helping.
Apple Tree Yard



"To gun the engine" is a new expression for me. I would have said the driver "revs the engine" but because the author, Louise Doughty is British, it must be well known in the UK. However, I have a feeling it's a recent coinage.


Is there a difference between rev and gun an engine? Can I say: "I gunned my car"?
OR "He gunned the vehicle as if his life depended on it"? Do you only gun an engine?



Answer



In the US we usually "rev" a motor that's idling or in neutral, while reserving the term "gun" for rapidly accelerating the engine of a vehicle in gear to significantly increase speed, as you describe in your example. Ps: your driver reminds me of my dad!


Edit: I looked for supporting references but couldn't find any that recognize the distinctions I indicated. These different usages are actual in vernacular AmE though probably not recognized by some, and certainly not absolute. One could use these terms interchangeably and be clearly understood. I wouldn't personally, but hey, I hang out here, with a more discriminating crowd!


Ps: oh yeah, in America we not only love to hold a gun, and to fire guns, we also like to use the word gun, as often as possible, hence, we gun our engines.


Here is a reference from a car fanatics forum illustrating my contention that a subtle distinction does exist between revving an engine and gunning a motor vehicle:



TOMCAT104


Whereas turbo's engine low-end torque might be more useful in daily driving situations (and since BMW seems to have reduce the turbo's lag to insignificance), it might have an advantage over the n.a in that respect. True, turbos cannot replace the joy of reving your engine high and gunning it, but in practice for most daily driving situations, would a turbo be actually a more suitable engine?


from BIMMERFORUMS


GUN verb (used with object), gunned, gunning.


10. to cause (an engine, vehicle, aircraft, etc.) to increase in speed very quickly by increasing the supply of fuel.


Dictionary.com


rev (v.) 1916, from earlier noun (1901), shortening of revolution, in reference to the internal combustion engine. Related: Revved; revving.


gun (v.) " to shoot with a gun," 1620s, from gun (n.); the sense of "to accelerate an engine" is from 1930, from earlier phrase to give (something) the gun. Related: Gunned; gunning.


The Online Etymology Dictionary



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