pot shot
See also: potshot
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
1858, shot taken for the (cooking) pot, namely for food; see pothunter.[1] Sense “opportunistic criticism” from 1926.[1]
Noun
- A haphazard shot with a firearm, taken with careless aim, often fired at a random target.
- A shot taken from a hidden stakeout.
- By analogy, insulting or hurtful words carelessly or randomly said; opportunistic attack, especially criticism.
- 2007, The Observer, [1]
- Why should Jonathan, Ruth and all the others have to stay out there like sitting ducks as policemen and their smug reporter friends took pot shots at them?
- 2007, The Observer, [1]
Related terms
Translations
haphazard shot
|
shot taken from hiding
randomly said hurtful words
|
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “pot shot”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.