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 • Jan. 9, 2026

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

They both enjoy luxury cars and clay pigeon shooting.

From The Guardian • Apr. 11, 2020

I go clay pigeon shooting on a Saturday.

From Time • Jan. 13, 2016

He hit the bird, which at once flew into fragments, as a clay pigeon properly should.

From 'Doc.' Gordon by Merrill, Frank T. (Frank Thayer)