pot shot

Meaning

Noun

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

Origin

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