shark bait
One who is in a precarious or vulnerable position.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If you go into that dangerous neighborhood alone, you are shark bait.”
“The inexperienced intern was sent into the high-stakes meeting without any preparation, making him total shark bait for the aggressive board members.”
“Without a clear strategy or legal protection, the small startup became shark bait for the massive corporations waiting to acquire its assets at a fraction of their value.”
From shark + bait.
- 01
cut bait
To give up on something in order to pursue something else.
- 02
fish or cut bait
To make a decision, especially after a period of delay; to either take action now or forgo the opportunity.
- 03
jump the shark
Of television program or other narrative, to undergo a storyline development which heralds a fundamental and generally disappointing change in direction.
- 04
swim with sharks
To operate among dangerous people.
- 05
wouldn't shout if a shark bit him
To be frugal or miserly.
Last updated August 10, 2026