IDIOM ►
bank shot
Meaning 1 ►▼
Hitting the ball along the side of something to score a point.
Original derivation from pool where a ball is shot indirectly into the pocket by hitting it along the side wall or "bank."
In basketball: an indirect shot into the basket using the backboard.
Sentence 1
Minnesota Fats sank the ball in the corner pocket, banking it off the side rail.
LeBron James banked the basketball off the backboard into the net.
Meaning 2 ►▼
An indirect approach to solving a problem, or completing a task.
Sentence 2
After failing to convince the potential business partner to accept the deal at the meeting, Ashley landed a bank shot by talking to the representative privately afterwards and convincing them to accept.