1.
insinuation; snide remark; indirect criticism
A comment or action that indirectly criticizes or mocks someone without naming them directly. The speaker implies criticism through a seemingly general statement that the target (and often the audience) can recognize as aimed at them.
それは私への当てこすりですか。
Is that a snide remark directed at me?
彼女は当てこすりを言うのが上手だ。
She's good at making snide remarks.
直接文句を言わずに当てこすりばかり言う人は信用できない。
I can't trust someone who only makes insinuations instead of speaking directly.
当てこすり is derived from the verb 当てこする (to make a snide remark). The noun form is more commonly used.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 当てこすりを言う — to make a snide remark
- 当てこすりを言われる — to be the target of insinuation
- ～への当てこすり — an insinuation aimed at ~
The key feature of 当てこすり is its indirectness — the speaker maintains plausible deniability while the intended target understands the criticism. This differs from 皮肉 (irony/sarcasm), which may be more openly cutting.