sparare a zero

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to shoot to zero”.

Verb

sparàre a zero (first-person singular present spàro a zero, first-person singular past historic sparài a zero, past participle sparàto a zero, auxiliary avére)

1. (intransitive, firearms) to shoot point blank
2. (intransitive, figurative, by extension) to submit (someone) to harsh criticism; to launch an attack (on); to lash out (at) [with su ‘someone’]

   Synonyms: scagliarsi, inveire, criticare, invelenirsi, picconare, sferzare

   • 2020 October 30, Carmelo Lopapa, “Covid, la pazza giornata di Salvini: dal sì al lockdown al dietrofront”, in la Repubblica‎^[1]:

     Di nuovo sulle barricate al pomeriggio, intento a sparare a zero sul governo "responsabile" del dramma.

     Back on the barricades in the afternoon, intent on lashing out at the government "responsible" for the drama.