PhrasesHub

Gung ho

    Definitions

      • Enthusiastic and eager
        To describe someone who is highly motivated, excited, and enthusiastic about a particular task or goal

      • Overly enthusiastic to the point of being reckless
        To caution against being too eager or enthusiastic, as it may lead to making impulsive decisions or taking unnecessary risks

      • Team spirit and cooperation
        To refer to a group or team that is working together with enthusiasm and unity towards a common goal or objective

    Examples of Gung ho

    • The sales team's gung ho attitude made them exceed their sales goals by 20%.

      The idiom "gung ho" refers to a group of people who are enthusiastically committed to a common goal or purpose. In this example, the sales team's high level of commitment and enthusiasm helped them to exceed their sales targets by a significant margin.

    • The project manager's gung ho leadership style inspired the team to work long hours and deliver the project ahead of schedule.

      In this example, "gung ho" refers to the project manager's energetic and committed approach to leadership, which motivated the team to work with enthusiasm and dedication, resulting in the project being completed ahead of schedule.

    • During the presentation, the speaker's gung ho delivery left the audience spellbound.

      In this example, "gung ho" refers to the speaker's energetic and enthusiastic delivery style, which captivated and engaged the audience.

    • The gung ho celebrations lasted late into the night.

      In this example, "gung ho" is used to describe the enthusiastic and lively nature of the celebrations, which continued well into the night. The use of "gung ho" here suggests that the celebrations were particularly energetic and lively.

    • The new project manager is very gung ho about completing the project on time and under budget.

      This idiom is used to describe a person who is enthusiastically committed to a task or goal. In this example, the project manager is demonstrating a strong determination and vigor in their work.

    • The sales team is gung ho about reaching their quarterly sales targets.

      Here, the idiom is being used to imply that the sales team is eager and motivated to achieve their sales goals. It suggests that they are pursuing their objectives with a high level of energy and persistence.

    • The CEO addressed the staff, encouraging them to become more gung ho about their work and improve their productivity.

      In this context, the CEO is using the idiom to inspire the staff to become more passionate and energetic about their duties. The idea is to instill a sense of vigor and commitment in the workers to achieve better results.

    • The interns were gung ho about learning everything they could while working in the company.

      Finally, this example uses the idiom to explain that the interns were very eager and committed to learning all they could during their work experience. The phrase implies that they were enthusiastic and actively involved in their training.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "gung ho" has multiple meanings, all centered around the idea of enthusiasm and motivation. It can be used to describe someone who is highly motivated and eager, but it can also caution against being too enthusiastic to the point of recklessness. Additionally, it can refer to a sense of teamwork and cooperation.

    Origin of "Gung ho"

    The origin of the idiom "gung ho" can be traced back to World War II. It was first used by U.S. Marines in 1942, who adopted the phrase from a Chinese term meaning "work together." It was popularized by U.S. Marine Corps officer and writer Evans F. Carlson, who used it as a slogan for his elite military unit known as the "Carlson's Raiders."

    The term gained widespread usage during the war and was eventually brought back to the United States, where it became a common phrase used to describe a sense of teamwork and cooperation. Over time, the meaning of "gung ho" expanded to also include a sense of enthusiasm and motivation in any situation, not just in a military context.

    Interestingly, the term was originally pronounced with a hard "g" sound, as in "gung," but over time, it has evolved to be pronounced with a soft "g" sound, as in "gung." This is likely due to the influence of the Chinese pronunciation of the term.