swipe / dig
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swipe / dig
A casual, indirect, and often mocking or critical remark aimed at someone or something.
In seiner Rede verteilte der Politiker einige scharfe Seitenhiebe an die Opposition.
In his speech, the politician took several sharp swipes at the opposition.
The word consists of “Seite” (side) and “Hieb” (blow). So a “Seitenhieb” (swipe/dig) is figuratively a “blow from the side” — an indirect, surprising criticism.
Seine Bemerkung über meine neue Frisur war ein unerwarteter Seitenhieb.
His comment about my new haircut was an unexpected dig.
Common verbs used with “Seitenhieb” (swipe/dig) are “austeilen” and “verteilen” (active: to dish out/take shots) or “kassieren” and “bekommen” (passive: to receive/get).
Der Kabarettist teilte während seines Programms viele Seitenhiebe an die Politiker aus.
The cabaret artist took many swipes at politicians during his program.
To name the target of the critical remark, use the preposition “auf” followed by the accusative.
Das war ein klarer Seitenhieb auf die Konkurrenzfirma.
That was a clear swipe at the competing company.
tip / top / lace
Spitze and Seitenhieb can both refer to a mocking or critical remark. Spitze emphasizes the pointed or ironic form and need not be a clear attack. Seitenhieb typically refers to a casual, indirect attack aimed at a particular person or thing.
Mit einem indirekten Seitenhieb kritisierte sie den Leiter der langen Sitzung.
With an indirect swipe, she criticized the person in charge of the long meeting.
Mit einer ironischen Spitze kommentierte sie die lange Dauer der Sitzung.
She commented on the meeting's long duration with an ironic barb.
