Potshot (Noun)

Meaning ¹

A shot taken at an easy or casual target (as by a pothunter).

Classification

Nouns denoting acts or actions.

Examples

• The inexperienced hunter took a potshot at the deer, but missed the mark by several feet.
• The tourist's camera snapped a potshot of the celebrity as they walked out of the restaurant.
• The journalist took a potshot at the politician's questionable fiscal record in the scathing editorial.
• The comedian's potshot at the rival TV host's poor ratings left the audience in stitches.
• The artist took a casual potshot at the cliché romantic sunset, rendering it in a humdrum grey scale.

Hypernyms

• Shot

Meaning ²

Criticism aimed at an easy target and made without careful consideration; "reporters took potshots at the mayor".

Classification

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.

Examples

• The skeptical journalist took potshots at the politician's latest economic plan, questioning its feasibility and practicality.
• Critics took potshots at the quarterback's performance, but few offered constructive suggestions for improvement.
• The comedian took potshots at the audience members who were obviously tourists, making jokes about their fanny packs and cameras.
• The blogger took potshots at the bestselling author's writing style, dismissing it as shallow and clichéd.
• The pundits took potshots at the presidential candidate's lack of experience, but ignored the deeper issues with their own party's platform.

Hypernyms

• Unfavorable Judgment