gunshy

Adjective

gunshy (comparative more gunshy, superlative most gunshy)

1. Afraid to use a gun.
2. Frightened by the sound of gunfire.
   • But very few dogs become gunshy if they are introduced to the bang while they are overcome with the delight of chasing game, particularly if the trainer begins with a light noise and works up to louder noises in easy stages2007, Paul Long, Training Pointing Dogs, 2nd edition, page 38
3. (figuratively) Fearing the consequences of repeating an act, especially after being reprimanded.
   • After his last suggestion was laughed at by his colleagues, he was gunshy about making another suggestion.
   • However, some people are gun-shy about like and engage in the hoity toity lingo that's called “hypercorrection.”2013, Ben Yagoda, How to Not Write Bad: The Most Common Writing Problems and the Best Ways to Avoid Them, Penguin, →ISBN