clay pigeon

American  

noun

1. Trapshooting, Skeet. a disk of baked clay or other material hurled into the air from a trap as a target.

2. Slang. a person in a situation likely to be taken advantage of by others.

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clay pigeon British  

noun

1. a disc of baked clay hurled into the air from a machine as a target to be shot at

2. slang a person in a defenceless position; sitting duck

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clay pigeon Idioms  

1. A person easily duped or taken advantage of, as in You're a clay pigeon for all of those telephone fund-raisers. The term alludes to the clay pigeon of trapshooting, which replaced the use of live birds in this sport in the 1860s. Its transfer to figurative use in the first half of the 1900s probably is explained by the much older slang use of pigeon for “dupe.” Also see fall guy.

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Etymology

Origin of clay pigeon

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

One clay pigeon shooter who has dyslexia said he would not have been able to renew his licence since 2018 if it had not been for his wife.

From BBC

He met Davison and "took his word" he wanted a shotgun for clay pigeon shooting and had no history of stress, anxiety and depression.

From BBC

The pair originally met in the early 2000s on the set of “Gigli,” which, for film critics, was essentially a movie version of clay pigeons.

From Washington Post

Ninth innings in the Bronx have become Clay Time, Holmes entering with cap pulled low like Andy Pettitte and picking off batters like, well, clay pigeons.

From Seattle Times

The week of activities is set to open with naked dodgems, and includes nude bingo, clay pigeon shooting and line dancing.

From BBC