rim shot

or rim·shot

[ rim shot ]

noun

1. a drum beat made by hitting the rim and the head of a drum with a drumstick at the same time:

   A rim shot can be used to add a more driving beat to the song.

2. the sound of a beat struck on both the rim and head of a drum followed by a cymbal crash, used to signal that a joke has been made, as on a television program:

   The movie wisely acknowledges that the laughs are better served with a wink and a nod than a rim shot and a laugh track.

3. Basketball. a shot that touches the rim of the hoop:

   A rim shot that didn't land lost them the game.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rim shot¹

First recorded in 1930–35; 1940–45 rim shot fordef 3

Example Sentences

A sort of an inhale, exhale moment, like a rim shot to punctuate the line.

From Los Angeles Times

Brooks started as a drummer, and percussiveness, driving toward the “rim shot,” would become another comedic signature.

From New York Times

Bad jokes may fall flat without the mitigating effect of an audience groan or an ironic rim shot, but intelligent voices come through.

From Los Angeles Times

That comment should’ve been followed by a rim shot and laugh track.

From Washington Times

It begins with the last — rim shot, please — an easy joke among shoemakers.

From Los Angeles Times