sharp practice


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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. © 2022 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
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References in periodicals archive ?
The misuse of legal instruments, such as 'special purpose vehicles', to insulate parent companies from potential losses and legal problems as a result of the failure of subsidiaries is sharp practice."
Now National Express faces franchise ban
Sharp Practice tells how Durham-born Granville Sharp campaigned against the injustice of slavery in the 1700s.
culture: The North man who took stand over slavery
Ryanair denies it is a sharp practice and said complies with consumer protection laws.
RYANAIR'S UNFARES.. Fliers stung by airline's exchange rate; EXCLUSIVE
It is clear banks learnt nothing after their sharp practice and greed brought the world economy to its knees four years ago.
Bring them to account; The VOICE OF
So the new cross-council employment computer database, it is claimed, will shed light on these areas and expose those, if any, who indulge in such sharp practice at the taxpayers' expense.
Mistake to use new systems as justification for council job cuts
Rangers and Celtic are not doing anything on a scale that could be called sharp practice, but this is a system whichisopen to far-reaching abuse - and it needs to be cleaned up or scrapped.
Loan stars must be free to shine
POIGNANT Bethany Lincoln, 16, of Hunwick, County Durham, plays No Name in Sharp Practice on tour.
Young tell of Durham victor over slavery; A new play honours the memory of a Durham anti-slavery campaigner, as Tom McTague reports
"It would be my advice to solicitors in Wales - and some trades unions - to examine their books, and consciences, to ensure there has been no sharp practice."
Law firms urged to 'come clean'
SHARP PRACTICE; Ramsay puts Martine McCutcheon through her paces
Knives out for Ramsay
HOW much longer are racecourses going to turn a blind eye to the sharp practice of the on-course bookmakers?
Letter: No justification for 'win only' practice; Mark Malin questions the point of going racing if on-course punters get a raw deal compared to those off-course
I think this is sharp practice, particularly for elderly people."
Elderly warned over gas sales practices
THE Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) revealed yesterday that is has detected a worrying display of "sharp practice" amongst some landlord's agents in this year's spring rent reviews across Wales and England.
Tenant farmers warn of 'sharp practice'
The only way to stop such sharp practice is for council staff to know how much of it is going on.
Be fair with taxi fares; COMMENT The policy of honesty. The might of right. The expediency of principle
Everything about the EU smacks of sharp practice. "No" always becomes "yes" and so it is with the latest sorry saga for you in the North-East who will long suffer for this latest flagrant violation of democracy.
Letter: The thin end of a very nasty wedge; Voice of the North
I phoned British Gas and told them that I considered that what they were doing amounted to 'sharp practice.' At least that was what it was called in my time.
Straight to the point British Gas offer a load of hot air
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