sharp practice

1. Crafty or deceitful dealings, especially in business. For example, That firm's known for its sharp practice, so I'd rather not deal with them. This expression, first recorded in 1836, uses sharp in the combined sense of “mentally acute” and “cutting.”

Example Sentences

Crypto trading has become identified by regulators and in the public mind as a haven for scams, theft and other forms of sharp practice.

From Los Angeles Times

The truth is, no one knows anything about any activity of the time, but people are pointing out the opportunity for sharp practice embodied in the whipsawing tariff policies emitting from the White House.

From Los Angeles Times

"Debt management activities must be done in a fair and reasonable way at all times. Suppliers cannot extend unlimited credit to customers, but we will not tolerate sharp practice or aggressive debt collection."

From BBC

“That’s sharp practice,” Fflewddur muttered, “even for a king.”

From Literature

“And he knows when to put his foot down when he needs to and be a leader when he needs to. I think that’s something that makes all quarterbacks great. Just demanding attention to detail, demanding a sharp practice, demanding a sense of urgency, that all starts with every individual, but the quarterback touches the ball every play. So if he shows it, then everybody else will rally behind it.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• chicanery 
• corruption 
• criminality 
• deceit 
• duplicity 
• falsehood 
• fraud 
• graft 
• infidelity 
• mendacity 
• treachery 
• trickery