draw a bead on

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Verb

draw a bead on (third-person singular simple present draws a bead on, present participle drawing a bead on, simple past drew a bead on, past participle drawn a bead on)

1. (transitive, slang) To aim a gun at.

   Synonym: take a bead on

   • 1892, Mark Twain, Meisterschaft: In Three Acts, act II, scene I, page 188:

     (As George gets fairly into the following, Gretchen draws a bead on him, and lets drive at the close, but the gun snaps.)