shoot the lights out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To perform very well; to exceed expectations.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
While the Scots weren't shooting the lights out in attack, they also allowed Belarus to be comfortable for large parts of the game. The fact they had 10 shots more than Scotland is a huge cause for concern.
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 “shoot the lights out” mean?
To perform very well; to exceed expectations.
Is “shoot the lights out” formal or informal?
shoot the lights out is generally slang.