sharp practice

sharp practice

Underhanded, deceitful, cunning, or particularly sneaky practice, especially in business, that is technically within the scope of the law but which may be considered immoral or unethical. The investment banking sector has been tightly reined in by the government after the sharp practice that went unchecked for so many years and cost so many people their life savings.

See also: practice, sharp

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

sharp practice

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."

See also: practice, sharp

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

sharp ˈpractice

clever but dishonest methods of business, etc: There’s a lot of sharp practice in the second-hand car business.

See also: practice, sharp

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017