in the barrel
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
In an unpleasant or dangerous situation.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
It’s Your Turn In The Barrel: accident investigation duty
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “in the barrel” mean?
In an unpleasant or dangerous situation.
Is “in the barrel” formal or informal?
in the barrel is generally slang.