cock-shot

A child throws a ball at the cock-shot target.

Definition

Noun: - A target for throwing: "cock-shot" refers to an object set up as a target in a game of throwing, historically often a live rooster or a wooden representation of one. - The game itself: It can also denote the game or pastime of throwing at such a target.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The children set up a cock-shot in the garden, using a wooden bird as the target. (They placed an object to aim at in a throwing game.)
  • He won the cock-shot by hitting the target three times in a row. (He succeeded in the game of throwing at the target.)

Advanced Usage

• "to make a cock-shot of something": to use something as a target for ridicule or criticism.
  • The politician's speech became a cock-shot for the opposition. (The speech was treated as a target for attack or mockery.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cock-shy (n): an alternative spelling or form of "cock-shot", meaning the same game or target.
  • They played cock-shy at the fair, throwing balls at a row of wooden birds. (The same pastime of throwing at a target.)

Synonyms

• Target: an object aimed at in a game.
• Butt: a target used in archery or shooting, or figuratively, a person or thing subjected to ridicule.
• Mark: a visible object used as a point of aim.

Related Idioms

• "a sitting duck": an easy target, similar to the concept of a cock-shot target.
  • Without any cover, the soldiers were sitting ducks for enemy fire. (They were easy targets.)