potshot
easy target attack
A potshot is an easy or opportunistic shot, originally one taken at game merely to fill the cooking pot rather than for sport.
The word now usually means a quick, casual criticism or attack made without much thought or risk: The senator took potshots at his opponent's record.
Taking potshots suggests hitting an easy target rather than engaging seriously.
Quick, straight blow
- digUnearth by shoveling
- swipeQuick sliding motion
- barbBackward-pointing spike
- snipeHidden-position shooting
gibe · taunt · quip · zinger · put-down · wisecrack · broadside · slam
Precision shooter
- sharpshooterExpert precision shooter
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- scopeExtent or range
- long-rangeAcross great distances
precision · aim · target · concealment · vantage · perch · camouflage · stealth
Surprise strike from concealment
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- cheapLow in price
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
tactical · predatory · opportunist · blindside · sucker-punch · unfair · cowardly · unsporting
jab
Quick, straight blow
snipe · gibe · taunt · quip · zinger · put-down · wisecrack · broadside · slam · knock
marksman
Precision shooter
- sharpshooterExpert precision shooter
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- scopeExtent or range
long-range · precision · aim · target · concealment · vantage · perch · camouflage · stealth · trigger
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- cheapLow in price
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
cunning · tactical · predatory · opportunist · blindside · sucker-punch · unfair · cowardly · unsporting · underhanded
haphazard
Lacking organization or plan
- scattershotBroadly unfocused approach
- indiscriminateLacking selective judgment
- aimlessHaving no direction
wild · casual · stray · unplanned · arbitrary · chance · imprecise · offhand · careless · slapdash
game
Organized play or sport
sport · prey · fowl · wild · bush · safari · poach · cull · stalk · flush
- shotsgunshot, B-52, Jagerbomb, Kamikaze, lemon drop
- low blowslow blow, sucker punch, below the belt, hit below the belt, dirty trick
- snarksarcasm, snark, jab, barb, dig
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
- Zingerszinger, zing, burn, comeback, retort
- quipswisecrack, witticism, quip, one-liner, bon mot
potshotpraise
Expression of approval
compliment · commendation · acclaim · tribute · laud
potshotprecision strike
Targeted military attack
reasoned argument · constructive criticism · surgical strike · sniper shot · frontal assault