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.

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.

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
See also:
  • (as) cunning as a fox
  • cunning
  • backstabber
  • (as) sly as a fox
  • sly
  • sly as a fox
  • (as) wily as a fox
  • crafty
  • fox
  • (as) crafty as a fox
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."
Sharp Practice tells how Durham-born Granville Sharp campaigned against the injustice of slavery in the 1700s.
Ryanair denies it is a sharp practice and said complies with consumer protection laws.
It is clear banks learnt nothing after their sharp practice and greed brought the world economy to its knees four years ago.
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.
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.
POIGNANT Bethany Lincoln, 16, of Hunwick, County Durham, plays No Name in Sharp Practice on tour.
"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."
SHARP PRACTICE; Ramsay puts Martine McCutcheon through her paces
HOW much longer are racecourses going to turn a blind eye to the sharp practice of the on-course bookmakers?
I think this is sharp practice, particularly for elderly people."
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.
The only way to stop such sharp practice is for council staff to know how much of it is going on.
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.
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.