gung-ho - Very enthusiastic, dedicated to the task at hand; also, overzealous. The term comes from a Chinese phrase meaning “work together,” adopted during the Chinese-Japanese war. It was later popularized by Marine Lieutenant Evans F. Carlson and the Hollywood war movie “Gung Ho!”
Synonyms:
- Zealous
- Eager
- Devoted
- Enthusiastic
- Keen
Antonyms:
- Indifferent
- Apathetic
- Unenthusiastic
- Lackadaisical
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “I like to think I’m gung-ho. Better than to be humdrum-hoe, am I right?” – Benny Laffypants
- “He’s so gung-ho about organizing his sock drawer. When he’s done, should we give him a medal or an intervention?” – Sarcasticus Suburbus
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All in 🏇 – Committing all your resources or efforts.
Came from poker terminology; no half-baked efforts here!
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Fired up 🔥 – Full of excitement or enthusiasm.
Another term for when you’ve drunk an entire pot of coffee yourself.
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Raring to go 🐎 – Very eager or enthusiastic about embarking on a course of action.
Usually causing friends to give you worried looks that say, “What are you raring into?”
Examples in Literature & Pop Culture:
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Books:
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck – Feel the fervor! Cal and Aron mirror the gung-ho spirit through their unmistakable drives, albeit on different life paths.
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu – Concepts closely related to the spirit of united efforts and discipline behind gung-ho.
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Movies:
- Gung Ho! (1943) – The film that popularized the term, telling the tale of Marine Lieutenant Carlson and his battalion.
- Jerry Maguire (1996) – Jerry’s gung-ho determination brings his mantra, “Show me the money,” to enthusiastic light.
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Music:
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor – Ever felt so gung-ho that you’re ready to change the world? Here’s your soundtrack.
### What's another term for 'gung-ho'?
- [x] Zealous
- [ ] Lethargic
- [ ] Miserable
- [ ] Obnoxious
> **Explanation:** "Zealous" is a fitting synonym for 'gung-ho,' reflecting strong enthusiasm and dedication.
### Which term is related in meaning to 'gung-ho'?
- [x] All in
- [ ] Half-hearted
- [ ] Disinterested
- [ ] Withdrawn
> **Explanation:** "All in" mirrors the enthusiastic commitment captured by 'gung-ho.'
### Can 'gung-ho' imply being overzealous?
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Yes, 'gung-ho' can imply being excessively enthusiastic or overzealous, depending on the context.
### Which phrase does NOT share a similar meaning with 'gung-ho'?
- [ ] Raring to go
- [ ] Fired up
- [ ] All in
- [x] Indifferent
> **Explanation:** While 'gung-ho,' 'raring to go,' 'fired up,' and 'all in' show enthusiasm, 'indifferent' actually conveys a lack of enthusiasm.
### Proper usage of 'gung-ho': "He was so gung-ho about the project, he __________."
- [ ] didn’t lift a finger
- [x] worked around the clock
- [ ] hesitated often
- [ ] avoided work
> **Explanation:** The correct sentence reflects the enthusiastic dedication that the term 'gung-ho' conveys.
### True or False: The origin of 'gung-ho' is of Japanese descent.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. 'Gung-ho' originates from a Chinese phrase, not Japanese, meaning “work together.”
### Finish the expression: Someone who is 'gung-ho' is likely to...
- [x] jump in with both feet
- [ ] sit on the sidelines
- [ ] be uninterested
- [ ] be noncommittal
> **Explanation:** "Jump in with both feet" shows the eager and enthusiastic nature attributed to 'gung-ho’ people.
### Which film helped popularize the term 'gung-ho'?
- [x] Gung Ho! (1943)
- [ ] Casablanca
- [ ] The Sound of Music
- [ ] The Wizard of Oz
> **Explanation:** 'Gung Ho!' (1943) is the war film that popularized the term.
### Fill in the blank: “His _______ approach was both motivational and slightly intimidating.”
- [ ] lethargic
- [x] gung-ho
- [ ] apathetic
- [ ] inactive
> **Explanation:** Using 'gung-ho' here emphasizes his eager and spirited approach to the task.
### Gung-ho is most closely associated with...
- [ ] Laziness.
- [x] Motivation and dedication.
- [ ] Inactivity.
- [ ] Disinterest.
> **Explanation:** 'Gung-ho' is synonymous with strong motivation and dedicated effort.
Inspirational thought: “Channeling your inner ‘gung-ho’ can turn ordinary pursuits into extraordinary adventures. Remember, with great enthusiasm comes boundless possibilities. So be gung-ho, but keep it balanced!” – Vivian Vibesmith.
