shark

noun

Pronunciation: /ʃɑːk/ / /ʃɑɹk/

Etymology: From German Schurke (“scoundrel”); compare Dutch schurk.

Someone who exploits others, for example by trickery, lies, usury, extortion.
““[…] Churchill, my dear fellow, we have such greedy sharks, and wolves in lamb's clothing. Oh, dear, there's so much to tell you, so many warnings to give you, but all that must be postponed for the moment.””
““Look after her, Mr. Hastings. My poor Emily. They’re a lot of sharks—all of them. Oh, I know what I’m talking about. There isn’t one of them that’s not hard up and trying to get money out of her. I’ve protected her as much as I could. Now I’m out of the way, they’ll impose upon her.””
A sleazy and amoral lawyer.
An ambulance chaser.
A relentless and resolute person or group, especially in business.
“In the event they lacked a proper midfield bolt, with Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira huffing around in pursuit of the whizzing green machine. The centre-backs looked flustered, left to deal with three on two as Mexico broke. Löw’s 4-2-3-1 seemed antiquated and creaky, with the old World Cup shark Thomas Müller flat-footed in a wide position.”
A person that excels in a particular field.
A person that excels in a particular field.
A person who feigns ineptitude to win money from others.

Etymology: Probably from the "steal" senses above, but perhaps related to shear. Compare shirk.

To pick or gather indiscriminately or covertly.
“Fortenbraſſe […] Hath […] Sharkt vp a ſight of lawleſſe Reſolutes […]”