potshot

[ pot-shot ]

noun

1. a shot fired at game merely for food, with little regard to skill or the rules of sport.
2. a shot at an animal or person within easy range, as from ambush.
3. a casual or aimless shot.
4. a random or incidental criticism:

   to take a potshot at military spending in a speech on taxation.

verb (used without object)

, pot·shot or pot·shot·ted, pot·shot·ting.

1. to fire or aim potshots:

   critics potshotting at the administration.

Word History and Origins

Origin of potshot¹

First recorded in 1855–60; pot ¹ + shot ¹

Example Sentences

There are short-term political incentives people see to take potshots at one party or another for these images we see from Afghanistan.

From Washington Post

During the call, Benioff took potshots at competitors that sell both consumer and enterprise technology.

From Fortune

Palin takes a potshot back in the book, mentioning Schmidt's "rotund physique."

From The Daily Beast

I remember very distinctly saying, "Did you take the potshot at General Walker?"

From Project Gutenberg