hired gun
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- a professional killer who uses a gunSynonyms: gunmangunslingerhired gungungun for hiretriggermanhit manhitmantorpedoshooter
The Jargon File
hired gun n.
A contract programmer, as opposed to a full-time staff member. All the connotations of this term suggested by innumerable spaghetti Westerns are intentional.