fast one

noun

Informal.

1. a shrewd action, especially when unscrupulous or dishonest; an unfair trick, deceitful practice, dishonest dealing, etc..

   He pulled a fast one on me by paying me with a worthless check.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fast one¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

After so many slow starts, the Lions must have craved a fast one - and they made it happen.

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Indeed, McMahon seemed irked at the thought that Raw Story was trying to pull a fast one.

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“Some companies are trying to pull a fast one by shrinking the products little by little and hoping you won't notice,” he said.

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So it may be unsurprising that the heirs of Proposition 13’s proponents are trying to pull another fast one on California taxpayers.

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Ultimately, it's just a sad attempt to pull a fast one over his audience and his critics, with Asian women as the punchline again.

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Related Words

• atrocity 
• breach 
• case 
• corruption 
• evil 
• felony 
• infraction 
• lawlessness 
• misconduct 
• misdeed 
• misdemeanor 
• scandal 
• transgression 
• violation 
• wrongdoing