[call] shotgun
1
to state that one will be sitting in the seat next to the driver in a vehicle
The idiom "call shotgun" has its roots in American slang and is associated with the practice of claiming the front passenger seat in a vehicle. The term "shotgun" originally referred to the guard or person armed with a shotgun who would sit next to the driver in stagecoaches for protection during journeys in the American West. Over time, this concept evolved into a popular game or informal system where individuals "call shotgun" to express their desire to sit in the front seat. This practice is often invoked playfully or as a way to assert one's right to the preferred seat in a vehicle.
- Before the road trip, everyone rushed to call shotgun for the best view.
- He called shotgun as soon as they mentioned going out for a drive.
- The siblings had a standing agreement that whoever called shotgun first got the front seat.
- When the group decided to order takeout, she called shotgun to ride along and pick up the food.
- The friends laughed as they playfully argued about who called shotgun first for the ride to the concert.