sharp practice

Idioms

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

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sharp practice

It’s sharp practice to charge twice for the same problem.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 7, 2026

Mr Castleton wants that settlement to be set aside, alleging it was fraudulently obtained involving "sharp practice" by the Post Office.

From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2026

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 ● May 15, 2025

“There was a lot of sharp practice around.”

From The Guardian ● May 10, 2018

In their circle, it was held to be no disgrace to import goods illegally, but rather sharp practice was accounted a sign of canny business acumen.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

sharp practice

Example Sentences

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