sharpshooting

A shooting with great precision and effect, as by sharp-shooters. Hence, applied figuratively to any sharp skirmish of wit or would-be wit. "The frequent repetition of this playful inquiry on the part of Mr. Pecksniff, led at last to playful answers on the part of Mr. Montague; but after some little sharp shooling on both sides, Mr. Pecksniff became grave, almost to tears."-Dickens: Martin Chuzzlewit , ch. xliv.