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trick

trick

764 2.6
A smart method for doing or remembering something
  • noun
  • /trɪk/
translation icon : truco
  • He showed me a clever trick to remember people's names after meeting them.
  • tricks of the trade
  • a bag of tricks
  • use a trick

I don't know what trick I ought to try.

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Examples

  • That would be a neat trick.

  • How can we communicate these tricks of our trade to each other?

    Academic text (1992)
  • OK, so the trick is to do this.

  • But the trick is to keep the party casual.

  • Well, what's the trick, then?

  • So instead, the clever trick is gonna be as follows.

  • Of course, we do rely on several tricks that I will discuss throughout this article.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Students can learn a few tricks from them by way of catching people's attention.

    Academic text (2013)
  • A student knows every trick in the manual for producing an acceptable term paper using Microsoft Word.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Sometimes, Jake is thinking, the trick in life is figuring out when there's no point in trying.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

hoax
vstrick
166 4.1

A trick that makes people believe something false

also covers clever problem solving and neutral solutions, not only large deceptions
device
vstrick
102 4.9

A clever plan used to get a result, often to trick people

focuses more on clever skill and possible deception rather than formal planning
ploy
vstrick
85 4.9

A clever trick used to gain an advantage in talk or negotiation

is more general and includes clever solutions beyond conversation or negotiation settings
ruse
vstrick
53 7.7

A clever trick to deceive someone

is broader, covering clever solutions and not only plans meant to deceive people
hack
vstrick
  • Texting
52 4.0

A clever quick way to solve a problem

also includes cases of deliberate deception, not only clever practical solutions
trickery
vstrick
27 4.9

To use dishonest ways to cheat people

is broader, including skillful nondeceptive methods as well as dishonest ones
hocus
vstrick
18 9.3

A trick used to cheat people, often to get their money

is less about showy magic and more about practical clever methods or solutions
artifice
vstrick
  • Formal
11 8.1

A clever trick that deceives people or hides the truth

includes both clever problem solving and deception rather than only secret avoidance
dirty trick
vstrick
11 4.9

An unfair action meant to harm or cheat someone

can also mean neutral clever methods that solve problems, without unfair harm
hocus-pocus
vstrick
9 8.1

Words or actions that trick people by seeming magical

is broader, applying to ordinary clever methods or deceptions beyond magic-like acts
stratagem
vstrick
7 8.5

A clever plan to trick someone and gain an advantage

is a broader term for clever methods, not limited to opponent-focused plans
deception
vstrick
6 4.3

A trick that makes something look like real magic

is more about practical clever skill used to solve problems or deceive
legerdemain
vstrick
  • Formal
2 9.9

A skill of quick hand tricks to fool people, like a magician

applies beyond manual sleight to include clever mental methods and solutions
mean trick
vstrick
  • Informal
1 5.4

An action that hurts or deceives someone on purpose

is often neutral or harmless, referring to clever methods not meant to cause harm
cunning plan
vstrick
1 5.0

A clever way to trick someone to get what you want

can also mean a neutral clever solution, not always aimed at deceiving others
schtick
vstrick
  • Informal
1 9.5

A dishonest trick someone uses to get an advantage

is more neutral or serious in tone, covering both helpful and harmful clever methods
cunning tactic
vstrick
6.3

A clever but dishonest plan to gain an advantage

may apply equally to clever solutions that are not intended to deceive people
wangle
vstrick
  • UK
8.9

A clever or dishonest way to get something

can apply to general clever methods, not only single achieved instances
jugglery
vstrick
  • Archaic
9.9

Tricky or dishonest actions used to confuse people and gain advantage

is broader and includes clever problem solving rather than only performative deception
clever hack
vstrick
4.9

A smart, simple trick that solves a problem quickly

can involve deceiving people as well as simply solving a problem

Idioms

to do the trick
  • Informal
80 3.7

To get the result you want

13 4.3

A clever or dishonest way people use to get something they want

11 9.9

To have sex with a customer for money

4 6.5

A secret plan kept to use as a surprise when needed

3 4.6

All possible methods someone uses to get something, often using clever or dishonest actions

A secret plan kept to use later when you need it

Compounds

29 2.7

A performance that looks impossible and surprises people

A question that tries to confuse you with a surprising answer

11 4.9

An unfair action meant to harm or cheat someone

9 2.8

A trick that uses playing cards to entertain people

9 3.7

Three scores by one player in the same game, for example three goals

trick or treat
  • Baby Talk
8 2.5

An activity where children go from house to house asking for sweets on Halloween

one-trick pony
  • Offensive
4 6.0

A person or thing with only one skill

3 6.7

A simple magic trick to amuse people at a small party

mean trick
  • Informal
1 5.4

An action that hurts or deceives someone on purpose

A dishonest plan to gain someone's trust and then take their money or things

A magic trick that seems to break natural rules to surprise and amuse people

Jedi mind trick
  • Informal
8.7

A clever, hidden way to persuade someone by making them think or feel differently

How Clever

masterstroke
4 7.3
hack
  • Texting
52 4.0
trick
764 2.6
technique
879 3.3
tip
445 1.0

Surface Forms

trick singular
tricks plural

Etymology

Trick is often a clever 'move' or method to achieve something, like a handy tip to make a task easier. So a useful trick for remembering names is a simple, clever way to solve the problem.