straight from the shoulder adjective 1adverb 1 adjective1 •Done in a direct manner; blunt.He delivered his blow straight from the shoulder, felt the jar right up his arm, and realised suddenly that he was striking something passive and unresisting. — 1896 adverb1 •In a straightforward manner; directly; bluntly.He's an uncomplicated working-class kid who speaks, jab-like, straight from the shoulder. — 2005