pot´shot´ter

pot|shot «POT _SHOT», noun, verb, -shot|ted, -shot|ting.

–n.

1. a shot fired at game to get food, with little regard to skill or the rules of sport.

2. a quick shot at or attack against something from close range or from ambush and without careful aim: »

Chinese Reds and their Nationalist enemies are taking potshots at each other between China's mainland and Quemoy (Wall Street Journal).

3. a random or careless shot: »

Ammunition, once scarce, is now plentiful enough to be wasted on potshots at coconuts (Time).

4. Often, potshots. Figurative. random or scattered criticism: »

Potshots are aimed at a few cherished military institutions, from security checks to the medical corps (Saturday Review). He is not afraid to take potshots at some of the widely-held theories of his associates (New York Times).

–v.t., v.i.

to take potshots (at); potshoot.

–pot´shot´ter, noun.