take a swipe at

idiom

informal : to direct criticism or insults toward (a particular person or group)

She took a swipe at her former company in her latest column.

: to try to hit (someone or something) by moving something

The batter took a swipe at the ball and missed.

Examples of take a swipe at in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Bully Boy will continue to attack Phoebe, and sometimes other cats will see what’s going on and take a swipe at her, too. —

Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 13 June 2024 After former Giant offensive lineman Nick Gates was benched in Washington this season, current GM Joe Schoen appeared to go out of his way to take a swipe at Gates and the Daily News’ reporting on how his time in New York had ended. —

Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2024 When Carlson prodded Trump to take a swipe at his former Veep, who defied Trump on Jan. 6, refusing to unilaterally reject the election results, Trump didn’t exactly come out guns blazing. —

Eric Cortellessa, Time, 24 Aug. 2023 That move prompted Oregon coach Dan Lanning to take a swipe at Colorado earlier this week when asked for his reaction to it. —

Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for take a swipe at

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“Take a swipe at.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20swipe%20at. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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