take a swipe at
idiom
1
informal
: to direct criticism or insults toward (a particular person or group)
She took a swipe at her former company in her latest column.
2
: 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
Why would the sideline reporter — in this case, CBS’ excellent Aditi Kinkhabwala — set him up to take a swipe at a teammate?
—
Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, budget airline Ryanair appeared to take a swipe at NATS’ CEO, naming him while responding to a news article about the delays.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
But Illinois’ last prominent statewide politician who went to federal prison, former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, held back on the chance to take a swipe at a bitter nemesis when Madigan was sentenced.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
Gordon stepped in before Harden appeared to take a swipe at Gordon.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a swipe at
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Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, budget airline Ryanair appeared to take a swipe at NATS’ CEO, naming him while responding to a news article about the delays.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
But Illinois’ last prominent statewide politician who went to federal prison, former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, held back on the chance to take a swipe at a bitter nemesis when Madigan was sentenced.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
Gordon stepped in before Harden appeared to take a swipe at Gordon.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a swipe at
Cite this Entry
“Take a swipe at.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20swipe%20at. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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