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.

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passing shot British  

noun

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

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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

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

Yet another lob produced yet another overhead, again back to Alcaraz’s left, and this time he came up with a down-the-line backhand passing shot that Ramos-Vinola volleyed into the net.

From Washington Times • May 25, 2022

He certainly took it uncommonly cool, and in the thick of it could unbend with kindly condescension when a sergeant who was passing had his forage-cap knocked off by the wind of a passing shot.

From The Thin Red Line; and Blue Blood by Griffiths, Arthur