son of a gun

son of a gun  {n. phr.},  {slang}
1. A bad person; a person not liked.
I don't like Charley; keep that son of a gun out of here.
Syn.: BAD ACTOR.
2. A mischievous rascal; a lively guy. — Often used in a joking way.
The farmer said he would catch the son of a gun who let the cows out of the barn.
Hello Bill, you old son of a gun!
Compare: SO AND SO.
3. Something troublesome; a hard job.
The test today was a son of a gun.
Used as an exclamation, usually to show surprise or disappointment.
Son of a gun! I lost my car keys.
Compare: SON OF A BITCH.
Categories: disappointment exclamation noun slang