A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

Note:
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase shooting star—(also: falling-star) a meteor that darts
across the sky: Another gale-warning often is given by shooting
stars.
shoot for the stars—(also: shoot for the moon) be extremely
ambitious; try to do smth. very difficult or impossible: “We
want to shoot for the stars,” Green said before the game.
shoot for the moon • shoot the moon
shoot for the moon —(also: shoot for the stars) be extremely
ambitious; try to do smth. very difficult or impossible: It is
better to succeed in changing your diet gradually, than to shoot
for the moon and then give up.
shoot the moon —(sl.) leave rented accommodation by night
without paying the rent: I told him who were responsible ten-
ants; I warned him when shooting of moons seemed likely.
shoot someone down • shoot someone down in
flames
shoot someone down —
1
. kill a person by a shot (usually
implying merciless cruelty): I have witnessed several of their
battles, and it appears to be the first object to shoot down, or
otherwise kill a man. 2. bring down an aircraft (hence a pilot)
by shooting: His father believes he is still alive fifteen years
after he was shot down over Germany.
shoot someone down in flames —
1
. = shoot someone down 2:
Ernie had a memorable experience in this operation when he
was shot down in flames and rescued in a few hours. 2. bring
about smb.’s downfall: Let’s wait until he’s gone too far to
draw back, and then we can produce our evidence and shoot
him down in flames. 3. overcome a person in argument: She
herself had been a little shocked by his answer, but had secretly
enjoyed seeing Eileen shot down in flames.
shoot the cat • shoot the sitting duck
shoot the cat—(UK sl.) be sick; vomit, especially as a result
of excessive drinking: I’m cursedly inclined to shoot the cat.
shoot the sitting duck —do smth. with guaranteed success;
defeat smb. who is an easy prey: I don’t like enemies who aren’t
formidable. There’s no fun in shooting sitting ducks.