- barrel
- bar|rel1 [ `berəl ] noun count **1. ) a round wooden, metal, or plastic container with a flat top and bottom, used for storing liquids:empty beer barrelsa ) the amount of liquid contained in a barrel:Their customers drink a million barrels of beer a year.b ) a unit for measuring CRUDE OIL:Prices could remain as low as $20 per barrel.2. ) the part of a gun that a bullet is fired throughgive someone both barrels INFORMALto criticize or attack someone with great energy or emotionnot a barrel of laughs INFORMALa very unpleasant experience or situationover a barrel INFORMALif someone has you over a barrel, they know that you are in a difficult situation and that you will have to do what they want=> LOCK 2, PORK BARRELbarrelbar|rel 2 [ `berəl ] verb intransitive INFORMALbarrel down/into/through etc. to move very quickly in a deliberate or determined way:David was barreling down the hall toward her.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.