To snipe means to shoot at someone from a hidden position, usually from far away. A sniper is a specially trained soldier who shoots with extreme accuracy from concealed spots, often protecting their unit or gathering information. Snipers need patience, steady hands, and sharp focus because they might wait for hours without moving.

The word has spread beyond military use. When you snipe at someone, you make quick, sharp criticisms, often from the sidelines rather than face-to-face. If two students keep making little cutting remarks about each other's ideas during class discussion, they're sniping at each other. It suggests sneaky, targeted attacks rather than honest, direct disagreement.

In online auctions, sniping means waiting until the last possible second to place your bid, hoping to win before anyone can respond. The strategy mimics a sniper's approach: staying hidden, waiting for exactly the right moment, then acting quickly.

Whether it's criticism, competition, or conflict, sniping always involves that element of surprise and distance. It's never straightforward or out in the open.