I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: pot (I) + shot, n.; from the idea that casual shooting is unsportsmanlike and hence characteristic of a hunter whose only object is to kill game for the cooking pot
1. : a shot taken in a random, casual, or sporadic manner
taking potshots at passing rabbits — Green Peyton
scattered in tall grass … and popped up occasionally for a potshot — Walter Karig
2. : a critical remark or comment made in a random or sporadic manner
taking clerical potshots at those who hold opposing views — Riley Hughes
had taken a potshot at the other's way of putting the truth — J.H.Randall
subjects which require serious discussion, not verbal potshots — C.H.Page
II. verb
( potshot also potshotted ; potshot also potshotted ; potshotting ; potshots )
transitive verb
: to attack or shoot with a potshot
skirmishing and potshotting each other — Ray Josephs
pausing periodically to potshot people who think high-flown language is better — Time
intransitive verb
: to take a potshot
they potshot at the carabinieri — Janet Flanner
potshotting from 1000 yards — Georg Meyers
potshotting at the administrative departments — Atlantic