sideswipe
sideswipe — noun
- sideswipesingular
- sideswipesplural
1. a critical comment about a person or thing that someone adds while talking about
a critical comment about a person or thing that someone adds while talking about a completely different topic — for example, a politician criticising a rival during a speech about the economy
In a budget speech, the director made a sideswipe at the previous management.
sideswipe at [target] — prepositional object
Her remark about lazy workers was a sideswipe at Tuan after his week off.
The article on fashion trends included a sharp sideswipe at wasteful politicians.
Lucía's joke about unfinished tasks was a sideswipe at her co-worker.
In his film review, the critic made a sideswipe at the director's earlier work.
- compliment
positive remark with no critical intent
- praise
direct expression of approval, opposite of indirect criticism
文法句型
a sideswipe at [someone/something]
用法筆記
Often found in political debate, workplace conversation, or media commentary where a speaker hides a criticism inside an unrelated subject.
常見錯誤
2. a light but forceful hit against the side of a vehicle, especially when one car
a light but forceful hit against the side of a vehicle, especially when one car passes another very closely on the road
The car received a nasty sideswipe from a lorry that pulled out too quickly.
receive a sideswipe from [vehicle]
After the sideswipe, Salma pulled over to inspect the damage on her passenger door.
A parking-lot sideswipe left long scratch marks along the driver's side door.
The police report described the accident as a sideswipe between two cars on the motorway.
Mira's car was badly damaged after a sideswipe from a delivery truck on the highway.
- glancing blow
more general; can describe any angled hit, not just vehicles
- scrape
suggests shallower damage and less force
- clip
implies the vehicles barely touched
- head-on collision
direct front-to-front impact instead of a side glancing blow
文法句型
a sideswipe from [vehicle]
receive a sideswipe
用法筆記
Describes a specific type of minor traffic collision where the sides of two vehicles make contact. Unlike a head-on crash or a rear-end shunt, the vehicles are usually travelling in the same or opposite direction side by side.
常見錯誤
sideswipe — verb
- sideswipepresent simple I / you / we / they
- sideswipes3rd person singular
- sideswiping-ing form
- sideswipedpast simple
1. to strike the side of a vehicle or other object with a light, sliding impact whi
to strike the side of a vehicle or other object with a light, sliding impact while passing, usually because there is not enough space on the road
A taxi sideswiped Hari's parked car while trying to pass through a narrow street.
The truck sideswiped the concrete barrier, and sparks flew into the air behind it.
Sayaka's bicycle was sideswiped by a passing van, but she stayed on and kept riding.
The bus driver sideswiped a row of parked cars while turning the corner too sharply.
Eleni's car was sideswiped in the tunnel when a van drifted into her lane.
- hit head-on
direct frontal impact instead of a glancing side strike
文法句型
sideswipe [vehicle/object]
be sideswiped by [vehicle]
用法筆記
Almost always describes a road-traffic event. Unlike 'scrape' or 'graze', sideswiping is unintentional and usually happens when a driver misjudges the available space. Frequently used in the passive voice because the vehicle being hit is the focus.