A large fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, sharp teeth, and a reputation as a powerful predator. Informally, it can also mean a person who is very skilled at something, often in a slightly sneaky or aggressive way, like a 'card shark'.
Origin uncertain; it appeared in English in the 16th century, possibly from a Germanic or unknown sailor’s word. The figurative sense for a greedy or dishonest person developed later.
The animal’s fearsome image made 'shark' perfect for describing ruthless people in business or gambling. Interestingly, most real sharks are far less dangerous to humans than their metaphorical human 'shark' counterparts.
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