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Glite Dictionary
to take a sideswipe at

to take a sideswipe at

8.1
To make a short indirect critical remark about someone
  • phrasal verb
  • Offensive
translation icon : hacer una crítica velada a
  • Her article takes a sideswipe at government policies without naming anyone directly.

Examples

  • Without warning, James took a sideswipe at his rival in his speech.

  • During the meeting, he took a sideswipe at the new project manager's decision.

  • He took a sideswipe at the new policy during the meeting.

  • Don't take a sideswipe at my friend!

  • During the meeting, she took a sideswipe at the competitor's latest product, suggesting it was not as innovative as theirs.

  • In his review, the critic took a sideswipe at the film's weak plot while praising the performances.

  • While discussing the changes in policy, he took a sideswipe at the previous administration's decisions.

Synonyms

to poke fun at
vsto take a sideswipe at
  • Offensive
23 3.4

To make jokes about someone, sometimes to be playful and sometimes to be unkind

is more a passing negative remark rather than playful teasing
to badmouth
vsto take a sideswipe at
  • Informal
15 7.6

To speak badly about someone behind their backs

is usually more passing and less deliberately hostile
to snipe
vsto take a sideswipe at
11 7.7

To criticize someone in a sly, indirect way

is also indirect but often casual and brief
to jab at
vsto take a sideswipe at
  • Informal
9 6.4

To make a short teasing or critical comment about someone

is usually more casual and indirect rather than sharp or direct
to talk trash
vsto take a sideswipe at
  • Offensive
5 7.5

Say insulting, bragging words to make someone angry or nervous

is less confrontational and more indirect rather than aggressive
to take potshots at
vsto take a sideswipe at
  • Offensive
4 8.1

To make quick, unfair critical remarks about someone or their ideas

is more of a passing indirect criticism than repeated attacks
to put the miller's eye out
vsto take a sideswipe at
  • UK
9.9

To say something sharp to hurt or criticize someone

is often less intentionally wounding and more offhand
to throw brickbats
vsto take a sideswipe at
  • Literature
8.9

Attack someone with strong words in public

is less public and less harsh, more casual and indirect
to put the bad mouth on
vsto take a sideswipe at
  • Informal
9.8

Speak badly about someone or something to other people

is typically briefer and less sustained criticism

Antonyms

compliment
342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

praise
161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Critical

to denounce
  • Formal
115 6.8
to criticize
701 3.3
to take a sideswipe at
  • Offensive
8.1

Surface Forms

take a sideswipe at infinitive
taking a sideswipe at present participle
takes a sideswipe at third person singular
took a sideswipe at past
taken a sideswipe at past participle

Morphology

take + a + sideswipe + at

The expression maps a literal lateral hit ('sideswipe') onto a figurative, indirect attack, so a learner who knows 'sideswipe' as a glancing blow and the pattern 'take a ... at' could plausibly infer an indirect criticism. However, the verbal/critical sense of 'sideswipe' is a metaphorical extension that may not be fully obvious to an average B1 learner without prior exposure, so the meaning is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Take a sideswipe at may come from the image of a quick, slight hit: imagine a car or a hand giving a sharp swipe at someone's side, barely touching them. That's why it now means 'to criticise' or 'make a quick, indirect attack' on someone or something.