sharp practice

Idioms and Phrases

Crafty or deceitful dealings, especially in business. For example, That firm's known for its sharp practice, so I'd rather not deal with them . This expression, first recorded in 1836, uses sharp in the combined sense of “mentally acute” and “cutting.”

Example Sentences

"Debt management activities must be done in a fair and reasonable way at all times. Suppliers cannot extend unlimited credit to customers, but we will not tolerate sharp practice or aggressive debt collection."

From BBC

“That’s sharp practice,” Fflewddur muttered, “even for a king.”

From Literature

“And he knows when to put his foot down when he needs to and be a leader when he needs to. I think that’s something that makes all quarterbacks great. Just demanding attention to detail, demanding a sharp practice, demanding a sense of urgency, that all starts with every individual, but the quarterback touches the ball every play. So if he shows it, then everybody else will rally behind it.”

From Seattle Times

"We will not tolerate sharp practice or aggressive debt collection and suppliers could face enforcement action where this is the case," he said.

From BBC

From Sandinista!, this eulogy to pop is a bubblegum delight that namechecks the UK’s emerging independent labels and argues that a great “two minutes 59” single can triumph over industry sharp practice.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• chicanery
• corruption
• criminality
• deceit
• duplicity
• falsehood
• fraud
• graft
• infidelity
• mendacity
• treachery
• trickery