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Reader question: In this passage (I’m afraid we need to look for a new press spokesman. Pete gets too upset at reporters’ questions, and then he starts shooting from the hip with his answers. This can get us into trouble), what does “shooting from the hip with his answers” mean? My comments: It means the press spokesman has a short temper, little patience and no tact. He gets upset with reporters pointed, sharp and often harsh questions and easily loses his composure. And then... And then he begins to do what is considered a no-no for all press spokespersons, that is, give shoot-from-the-hip answers – say what comes to his mind first instead of hiding his true feelings and emotions and saying something else than what it is that he truly wants to say had he been, say, an average, normal, sane person from the street. In other words, he stops being diplomatic – always giving vague, equivocal, that is, ambiguous, confusing, evasive and misleading answers. But why is that a no-no for a spokesperson? Well, it is because he just might tell the plain truth. And if you watch public spokespersons often enough, you’ll understand their job is to explain AWAY something rather than explain it in a straightforward fashion, to expound on a subject and yet not to give away any details. In other words, to keep talking without saying anything. Their objective, you see, is sometimes to obscure rather than expose the truth. That’s why it is often jovially remarked that people should not believe a news report unless it’s officially denied by the government. | 
