clay pigeon


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clay pigeon

A person who is easily exploited, deceived, or taken advantage of, especially due to being in a position of vulnerability. Likened to the clay pigeons (small clay discs) used as targets in trapshooting. Primarily heard in US. He was used as a clay pigeon by the mafia, who laundered money through his accounts. The guy who destroyed the documents was just a clay pigeon, coerced into it by threats against his family. Study the organization and find us a clay pigeon who will give us inside access, OK?
See also: clay, pigeon
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

clay pigeon

A person easily duped or taken advantage of, as in You're a clay pigeon for all of those telephone fund-raisers. The term alludes to the clay pigeon of trapshooting, which replaced the use of live birds in this sport in the 1860s. Its transfer to figurative use in the first half of the 1900s probably is explained by the much older slang use of pigeon for "dupe." Also see fall guy.
See also: clay, pigeon
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.

clay pigeon

n. a gullible person; a pigeon. (Underworld.) We need a clay pigeon to divert attention from the snatch.
See also: clay, pigeon
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive ?
Retired police officer Gwyn Bevan, 60, from Albrighton, is a qualified clay pigeon shooting coach who has been doing the sport for half a century.
If you happen to have one of those old clay pigeon throwers laying around, buy some discs from Kurgo and use the thrower you have.
The estate holds an annual clay pigeon shoot in which over 200 teams from all over the UK competed against each other over a three-day weekend.
Clay pigeon shooters James Sutton, left, and his father Raymond, from Sutton Coldfield.
John Marshall, vice chairman of Bond Dickinson said: "We are proud to support The Prince's Trust through our charity clay pigeon shoot in aid of disadvantaged young people across the North East.
TEESSIDERS are invited to a clay pigeon shoot to raise money for Help for Heroes.
London, Mar 17( ANI ): Bolton Wanderers captain Nigel Reo-Coker, who is also a good deadeye clay pigeon shooter, is hoping to see off Tottenham Spurs' challenge in the FA Cup quarterfinals at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
SHOTGUN ammunition has been stolen from a clay pigeon range in Lutterworth, near Rugby.
Laser clay pigeon shooting is an electronic way of enjoying traditional clay pigeon shooting.
SEAN HIGGINS proved himself a crack shot when St Johnstone stars held a team bonding clay pigeon shoot.
September 18 Take up the challenge and enjoy a day of clay pigeon shooting along with the chance to network and raise funds for Clatterbridge Cancer Research.
Crosman even secured the rights to a clay pigeon launcher that the operator sat upon and pulled the arm back for each clay pigeon, just like regular firearm clay pigeons.
Don't miss the bouncy pirate ship and laser clay pigeon shooting.
It may have been an extremely fortunate decision for the 44-year-old from Pensnett, Dudley, to choose to take up clay pigeon shooting as now his four children have discovered a natural talent for the sport and hope to make it to the 2012 Olympics.