shoot-'em-up

US: (shoot′əm up′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

shoot-'em-up  (shoot′əm up′), n. [Informal.]

1. Informal Terms a motion-picture or television program that emphasizes gunplay, action, and often violence.

• 1945–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

shoot-'em-up, shoot-em-up noun

1. a type of computer game, the object of which is to shoot as many enemies, targets, etc, as possible
2. a fast-moving film involving many gunfights, battles, etc