undershoot
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈʌndərʃut/
KK: /ˈʌndərʃut/
intransitive verb
Definition
To land or shoot at a point that is shorter than intended, missing the target or landing area.
Example
The pilot had to adjust his approach because he tended to undershoot the runway.
Tense Forms
Past: undershot
Past Participle: undershot
Conversation
Did you see that last jump?
Yeah, it looked like he really undershot it.
I know! He barely made it to the landing area.
It’s tough to gauge the distance sometimes.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
miss
fall
short
Antonyms
hit
reach
land
transitive verb
Definition
To land an aircraft or shoot a projectile before reaching the intended target or area.
Example
The pilot had to undershoot the runway due to poor visibility.
Tense Forms
Past: undershot
Past Participle: undershot
Conversation
Did you see that plane? It almost undershot the runway!
Yeah, I noticed! That was a close call for the landing.
I wonder how they prevent that from happening.
Root Explanation
Undershoot is formed from "under-" (meaning below or beneath) and "shoot" (from Old English "sceotan", meaning to throw or to shoot). The word describes the action of shooting or reaching below a target or intended mark.
Memory Tip
Think of aiming 'below' ('under-') a target when you 'shoot' — that's why undershoot means to fall short of the intended mark.
Visually Confused Words
intershoot