throw shade

idiomatic phrase

informal

: to publicly express contempt or disrespect for someone or something especially in an indirect or subtle way : criticize

… answered a question to the media that seemed to throw shade at his former teammate …—

Farbod Esnaashari

… was accused of throwing shade at the singer in a now-deleted TikTok [video].—

Leyla Mohammed

When the vendor typed "excuse me," my friend assumed the vendor was throwing major shade his way …—

Jennifer Silverman

… haters took to the comment section and threw major shade at the star …—

Julia Teti

Examples of throw shade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Eight years later, former President Donald Trump is trying to retake the White House by doing the same thing - and expanding his target list by throwing shade at luminaries like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. —

David Jackson, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 The two would continue to throw shade back and forth in the years that followed. —

Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024 Not endorsing her is the surprise move that throws shade on her, shade that could harm her in wobblier states. —

Karin Klein, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Oct. 2024 Derek Hough will not stand for guest judges throwing shade at the Dancing With the Stars contestants. —

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2024