angle-shoot

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To use a trick that is not explicitly prohibited by the rules, but which is used to gain unfair advantage.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

The floor will rule one way or another; the point isn't so much to win the ruling as to put the spotlight on the offending player so he's less likely to angle-shoot on future hands.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To bend the rules; to behave in a way that is unethical but not illegal.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “angle-shoot” mean?

To use a trick that is not explicitly prohibited by the rules, but which is used to gain unfair advantage.

Is “angle-shoot” formal or informal?

angle-shoot is generally slang.