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

They simply bought a gun and ammunition and showed up at the range or clay pigeon course to figure it out.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2023

Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said Jake Davison, 22, was permitted to use a gun for clay pigeon shooting.

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2021

I go clay pigeon shooting on a Saturday.

From Time • Jan. 13, 2016

“My life changed on New Year’s Day 1953 when, aged 13, I took part in a local clay pigeon shooting competition”, Stewart wrote in his autobiography.

From The Guardian • Dec. 11, 2015

That lady had but to release the poorest, most lifeless, little clay pigeon of a remark and Pansy shattered it in mid air and refixed suspicious eyes on the trap.

From The Mettle of the Pasture by Allen, James Lane