What Does Chekhov's Gun Mean?

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What does chekhov's gun mean?

Definitions for chekhov's gunchekhov's gun

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word chekhov's gun.

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1. Chekhov's gun

   Chekhov's gun (Chekhov's rifle; Russian: Чеховское ружьё) is a narrative principle that states that every element in a story must be necessary, and irrelevant elements should be removed. Alternatively explained, suppose a writer features a gun in a story; if the writer features it, there must be a reason for it, such as it being fired sometime later in the plot. All elements must eventually come into play at some point in the story.

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1. Chekhov's gun

   Chekhov's gun is a metaphor for a dramatic principle concerning simplicity and foreshadowing. It suggests that if one shows a loaded gun on stage in the first act of a play, it should be fired in a later act; otherwise, the gun should not be shown in the first place. The principle was articulated by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov and reported in various forms. "Chekhov's gun" is often used as an example of foreshadowing, with the sight of the gun preparing the audience for its eventual use. But the primary point of Chekhov's advice was to caution against including unnecessary elements in a story or its staging. Failure to observe the rule of "Chekhov's gun" may be cited by critics when discussing plot holes. The deliberate defiance of this principle may take the form of a red herring: something which the audience is meant to assume will be important to the plot's outcome, but ultimately is not.

How to pronounce chekhov's gun?

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How to say chekhov's gun in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of chekhov's gun in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of chekhov's gun in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

References

1. ^ Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov's_Gun
2. ^ Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=chekhov's gun

Translations for chekhov's gun

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

• pistola de chejovSpanish
• Tšehovin aseFinnish
• pistolet de TchekhovFrench
• gun ChekhovIndonesian
• chekhovs pistolNorwegian
• chekhovs pistolSwedish
• טשעכאָוו ס ביקסYiddish
• 契Chinese

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"chekhov's gun." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LTD, 2026. Web. 23 Feb. 2026. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/chekhov%27s+gun>.

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