'something is shot'

[DmitryL]

Hello, I'm reading the 'Atlas shrugged' and in the beginning the main characters are discussing the railroad situation using the sentance 'it (the railroad) is shot'. What does it mean? Is it busted or broken? May be there's a connotation it's broken out of some sort of sabotage act? What's the origin of the expression?

Thanks,

Dmitry

[JeromeTwain]

The word "shot" in this particular context means "damaged beyond repair" or "completely out of order". Whether this was caused by sabotage or other event is not implied in the phrase itself.

Example: "The computer is shot. I'll have to buy another one".

Hope that helps

[DmitryL]

Thanks a lot, JeromeTwain! I've got a very thorough electronic dictionary with about 200 articles on 'shot', but the meaning you gave wasn't there. However I wonder why this word is used in this meaning? My guess is that it's an allusion on a bad condition a thing can get into after being exposed to an extensive gunfire. What do you think?
Dmitry.