sideswipe

[ sahyd-swahyp ]

verb (used with object)

, side·swiped, side·swip·ing.

1. to scrape or hit with a sweeping stroke along the side:

   That car must’ve sideswiped mine when it backed out of the parking space.

noun

1. a sweeping stroke or scrape along the side:

   We can fix that sideswipe and repaint the car door for a reasonable price.

   By checking your mirror before changing lanes, you can avoid sideswipes.

sideswipe

/ ˈsaɪdˌswaɪp /

noun

1. a glancing blow or hit along or from the side
2. an unexpected criticism of someone or something while discussing another subject

verb

1. to strike (someone) with such a blow

Derived Forms

• ˈsideˌswiper, noun

Other Words From

• side·swip·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sideswipe¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1900–05; side ¹ + swipe

Example Sentences

That's because some of the non-colliding positively charged protons are set swirling as the nuclei sideswipe one another at close to the speed of light.

From Science Daily

Early Tuesday, Bryan Howard, 41, crossed the center line of State Road 40 in his 2001 Ford Ranger and sideswiped a bus carrying 53 farmworkers, which then veered the bus of the two-lane road.

From Seattle Times

The truck sideswiped the bus, causing it to veer off the road at about 6:40 a.m.

From Seattle Times

Around 8:37 a.m. a Peterbilt box truck sideswiped the parked van, causing the truck to lose control, said Rodrigo Jimenez, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol.

From Los Angeles Times

Vida ran alongside a black horse named Quaker that could be seen sideswiping a taxi as it turned into oncoming traffic after running through a red light at an intersection.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bang
• break up
• bump
• crash
• hit
• shatter
• smash
• strike