rim shot

American  

[rim shot] / ˈrɪm ˌʃɒt /

Or rimshot

noun

1. a drum beat made by hitting the rim and the head of a drum with a drumstick at the same time.

   A rim shot can be used to add a more driving beat to the song.

2. the sound of a beat struck on both the rim and head of a drum followed by a cymbal crash, used to signal that a joke has been made, as on a television program.

   The movie wisely acknowledges that the laughs are better served with a wink and a nod than a rim shot and a laugh track.

3. Basketball. a shot that touches the rim of the hoop.

   A rim shot that didn't land lost them the game.

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Etymology

Origin of rim shot

First recorded in 1930–35; 1940–45 rim shot for def. 3

Example Sentences

Feel free to follow their “Blue Out” quips with your own rim shot:

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

Though some of Howard’s punchlines should come with a rim shot and a reminder to try the veal, for a team that has been wallowing in stagnation, his efforts have been appreciated by Brooks.

From Washington Post • Nov. 5, 2018

Sabath, like most contemporaneous studio rats, is equal parts songwriter and producer, as adept at inventing new melodic hooks as he is at perfecting the timbre of a rim shot.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 19, 2016

Cue the rim shot, light the applause sign.

From Slate • Jun. 19, 2013

The music grew like a fog around the crowd, and then, with only a sly rim shot for warning, the drums kicked in full thrust.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older