throw shade
Snarky indirect criticism
To throw shade is to subtly insult or express disapproval of someone, usually through indirect criticism, dismissive looks, or backhanded compliments rather than open confrontation.
The phrase emerged from Black and Latino LGBTQ communities and spread through mainstream use: She was throwing shade at her ex all night.
Shade implies a certain artfulness—the insult lands without being crude.
Insult, in slang
- side-eyeContemptuous sideways glance
- snubDeliberate dismissive rejection
- put-downDisparaging remark
- digUnearth by shoveling
slight · jab · roast · read · drag · call out · clapback · subtweet
Oblique disparaging remark
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- subtextImplicit meaning beneath words
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- hintIndirect suggestion
veiled · indirect · oblique · understated · coded · between the lines · unspoken · suggestive
diss
Insult, in slang
dig · slight · jab · roast · read · drag · call out · clapback · subtweet · eye-roll
innuendo
Oblique disparaging remark
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- subtextImplicit meaning beneath words
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
hint · veiled · indirect · oblique · understated · coded · between the lines · unspoken · suggestive · sly
gossip
Informal talk spreading rumors
feud · rivalry · clique · mean girl · cancel · call out · viral · receipts · screenshot · comments section
sarcasm
Irony used to mock
dry wit · biting · cutting · acerbic · scathing · withering · deadpan · tongue-in-cheek · mocking · caustic
- disparagementdefame, denigrate, disparage, malign, slander
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
throw shadehave someone's back
Offer reliable support
stand up for · defend · support · back up · champion
throw, shade, shady, shaded, thrown, throwing, shading, throws, overshadow