passing shot

American  

noun

Tennis.

1. a shot played to one side of and beyond the reach of an opponent coming to or stationed at the net.

---

passing shot British  

noun

1. tennis a winning shot hit outside an opponent's reach

---

Etymology

Origin of passing shot

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The 22-year-old took the second opportunity, with a rasping passing shot forcing a deciding set.

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

She should have broken back in the next game but ended up falling to her knees at the net, arms outstretched as she sent the passing shot wide to go 3-1 down.

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2025

Hit a forehand passing shot down the line that appeared headed wide before curling in.

From Washington Times • Jun. 4, 2023

This isn’t like basketball, where you are surrounded by teammates, or tennis where the other player hits a passing shot from 30 feet away.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2022

After this passing shot at his old adversaries, Winstanley proceeds to consider the Offices and Institutions suitable for his ideal community, for a Free Commonwealth.

From The Digger Movement in the Days of the Commonwealth As Revealed in the Writings of Gerrard Winstanley, the Digger, Mystic and Rationalist, Communist and Social Reformer by Berens, Lewis Henry