shark
A big, usually dangerous fish that lives in the sea and has many sharp teeth.
A large, often dangerous marine fish with a cartilaginous skeleton and sharp teeth, found in oceans around the world.
A very good and often aggressive person in a game or business, who may use their skill to take advantage of other people.
A person who is extremely skilled at an activity, especially in business or gambling, and who is seen as aggressive or willing to exploit others for personal gain.
To trick someone so you can win money or get something in a game or deal.
To cheat, hustle, or take advantage of someone in order to win money or gain an advantage, especially in games or informal business deals.
- Base: shark
- Plural: sharks
card shark
1highly skilled card player
A person who is very good at playing card games, often for money.
- My uncle is a real card shark at family gatherings.
- They suspected the quiet stranger was a card shark after he won every hand.
- She became a card shark in college and paid her bills with her winnings.
in the shark tank
1in a hostile competitive situation
To be in a place or situation with many tough, aggressive people who want to beat or attack you.
- On your first day at that law firm, you’ll be in the shark tank.
- New startups are thrown into the shark tank when they pitch to investors.
- She knew she was in the shark tank when the questions turned hostile.
jump the shark
1reach a clear decline in quality
When a TV show or other series becomes worse after a big, strange change that shows it has run out of good ideas.
- The show really jumped the shark when they killed off the main character.
- Many fans felt the series jumped the shark in season five.
- Some people say the movie franchise jumped the shark with the last sequel.
like a shark
1act in a cold, aggressive way
Behaving in a very cold, strong, and aggressive way to get what you want.
- In negotiations he moves like a shark, showing no weakness.
- She goes after new clients like a shark.
- He smelled opportunity and circled the deal like a shark.
pool shark
1highly skilled pool player
A person who is very good at playing pool or billiards, often for money.
- She turned out to be a pool shark and cleared the table in just a few shots.
- They like to pose as beginners, but they’re actually pool sharks.
- He made extra cash as a pool shark in college bars.
shark attack
1incident of a shark biting someone
When a shark bites or hurts a person in the sea.
- The beach was closed after a shark attack.
- Shark attacks are very rare, but they get a lot of media attention.
- The documentary examined why shark attacks happen near popular beaches.
shark tank
1highly aggressive competitive environment
A very competitive place or situation where strong, aggressive people fight to win and may hurt weaker people.
- Working in high finance can feel like living in a shark tank.
- New employees often find the sales department is a shark tank.
- Without experience, he was thrown into a shark tank of tough negotiators.
shark-infested waters
1environment full of dangerous people
Used to describe a situation or place where many people are ready to hurt, cheat, or attack others.
- Without a good lawyer, the music business can feel like shark-infested waters.
- New graduates often find the job market is shark-infested waters.
- Politics these days are shark-infested waters for anyone who makes a mistake.
swim with sharks
1deal with dangerous, ruthless people
To work or do business with very tough, aggressive, or dangerous people who may hurt you if you are not careful.
- If you go into that line of work, you’d better be ready to swim with sharks.
- She learned to swim with sharks in the fashion industry.
- He enjoys swimming with sharks in high-stakes negotiations.
the sharks are circling
1people ready to attack the weak
Used when someone or something is in trouble and many others are waiting to attack, criticize, or take advantage.
- After the profit warning, the sharks were circling around the CEO.
- With the scandal growing, political sharks are circling.
- The company is weak, and now the sharks are circling to buy it cheaply.
loan shark
1Illegal high-interest money lender
A person who lends money at very high interest rates, often illegally.
- He borrowed money from a loan shark and got into trouble.
- He borrowed from a loan shark when the bank refused to give him a loan.
- Loan sharks prey on people who can't get bank loans.
- Loan sharks often target people who are already in serious debt.
- The police are trying to shut down local loan shark operations.
shark fin soup
1soup made with shark fins
A traditional soup, especially in some Asian countries, made with the fins of sharks.
- Many restaurants have stopped serving shark fin soup because of concerns about the environment.
- Many countries have banned shark fin soup to protect shark populations.
- He tasted shark fin soup for the first time on his trip to Hong Kong.
- They chose not to serve shark fin soup at the wedding for environmental reasons.
- Campaigns are encouraging people to avoid shark fin soup to protect shark populations.
- The restaurant removed shark fin soup from its menu after public protests.