Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • Lit., a shot fired simply to fill the pot; hence, a shot fired at an animal or person when at rest or within easy range, or fired simply to kill, without reference to the rules of sport; a shot needling no special skill.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A haphazard shot with a firearm, taken with careless aim, often fired at a random target.
  • noun A shot taken from a hidden stakeout.
  • noun By analogy, insulting or hurtful words carelessly or randomly said; opportunistic attack, especially criticism.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

1858, shot taken for the (cooking) pot, namely for food; see pothunter. Sense “opportunistic criticism” from 1926.

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