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Examples

  • ‘Wish I could take a cock-shy at your head!’ he thought irreverently, as his mother came back to her seat beside him.

    In Chancery 2004

  • Yes, in those days a Dook was a Dook and not a cock-shy for demigods [? demagogues].

    Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, July 22, 1914 Various

  • But what are you to say of a man who clamours for a saviour of the situation and then turns him into a cock-shy; of a Napoleon who is continually retiring to Elba when things are not going as he likes; of a politician who claims the privileges but refuses the duties of a

    Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 156, February 19, 1919 Various

  • Some had the new clean sandbags exposed to full view, thus serving as mere whited sepulchres to their occupants, others were equally conspicuous from their absurd cock-shy appearance, others were not bullet-proof, whilst others again would allow of shooting in one direction, or into the ground at a few yards 'range, or up into the blue sky.

    The Defence of Duffer's Drift Ernest Dunlop Swinton 1909

  • The very Greek language that they loved has become a mere label for snuffy and snobbish dons, and a mere cock-shy for cheap and half-educated utilitarians, who make it a symbol of superstition and reaction.

    What I Saw in America 1905

  • "Makin 'a cock-shy of him," replies the hideous small boy.

    Ten Boys from Dickens Kate Dickinson Sweetser 1903

  • Such was the occupation of the small boy, Deputy, night after night, week after week, month after month, during the year when we catch a glimpse of him, and it is reasonable to suppose that the remainder of his life, after we lose sight of him was spent, in making a cock-shy of everything that came in his way, whether Durdles or inanimate objects.

    Ten Boys from Dickens Kate Dickinson Sweetser 1903

  • 'Wish I could take a cock-shy at your head!' he thought irreverently, as his mother came back to her seat beside him.

    Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works John Galsworthy 1900

  • 'Wish I could take a cock-shy at your head!' he thought irreverently, as his mother came back to her seat beside him.

    The Forsyte Saga, Volume II. Indian Summer of a Forsyte In Chancery John Galsworthy 1900

  • 'Wish I could take a cock-shy at your head!' he thought irreverently, as his mother came back to her seat beside him.

    The Forsyte Saga - Complete John Galsworthy 1900

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