The phrase "shooting blanks" is a slang term used to describe a man's inability to impregnate his partner. Some synonymic expressions for this phrase include "firing blanks," "drawing a blank," "shooting duds," or "shooting empty." These phrases imply that there is no sexual potency or fertility present, leading to the lack of conception. Other colloquial expressions to describe this phenomenon include "shooting blanks like a BB gun," "missing the mark," and "firing blanks like a wet cannon." Regardless of the wording, these phrases all express the same idea that there is a deficiency in reproductive potential, often to the disappointment of the individuals involved.