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Potshot: meaning, definitions and examples

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potshot

 

[ ˈpɒtʃɒt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

criticism, attack

A potshot is a criticism or attack made without careful consideration or planning, often aimed at someone who is not in a position to defend themselves. The term can also refer to a quick and often careless shot taken by a hunter at a game animal.

Synonyms

attack, criticism, shot, slur

Examples of usage

  • The article took a potshot at the politician's recent gaffe.
  • He took a potshot from the forest as the deer ran by.
  • Critics often take potshots at celebrities.

Translations

Translations of the word "potshot" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tiro aleatório

🇮🇳 बेतरतीब शॉट

🇩🇪 Schnellschuss

🇮🇩 tembakan sembarangan

🇺🇦 випадковий постріл

🇵🇱 strzał losowy

🇯🇵 無作為なショット

🇫🇷 tir à l'aveugle

🇪🇸 disparo aleatorio

🇹🇷 rastgele ateş

🇰🇷 무작위 발사

🇸🇦 طلقة عشوائية

🇨🇿 náhodný výstřel

🇸🇰 náhodný výstrel

🇨🇳 随意射击

🇸🇮 naključno streljanje

🇮🇸 tilviljunarskot

🇰🇿 кездейсоқ оқ

🇬🇪 შემთხვევითი გასროლა

🇦🇿 təsadüfi atış

🇲🇽 disparo aleatorio

Etymology

The word 'potshot' originated in the early 19th century in America, combining 'pot' with 'shot'. 'Pot' refers to an opportunity to hit game, particularly for cooking, and it was used in hunting contexts to denote a chance shot taken at an animal to fill a pot. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass shooting without much aim or consideration. By the late 19th century, the term was used metaphorically to describe untargeted verbal attacks or criticisms towards individuals, particularly public figures who may be unable to respond effectively. Today, 'potshot' is commonly used in discussions of public commentary, media criticism, and informal verbal exchanges.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,976, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.