hired gun

Definitions

A professional gunman or mercenary employed to perform violent acts.

A person, often a lawyer or consultant, hired to perform a specific task or achieve a particular result, typically with aggressive or ruthless methods.

Examples

The corporation brought in a hired gun to dismantle the labor union from the inside.

He was known throughout the underworld as a ruthless hired gun who never left a witness behind.

The startup CEO acted like a hired gun, focusing solely on short-term profits before moving on to the next company.

Synonyms

mercenary hitman assassin gunman contract killer soldier of fortune enforcer

Antonyms

volunteer amateur pacifist protector guardian defender civilian