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💡 A clever method 🕵️ A deception 🕵️ To deceive 🎩 A magic act 😜 A prank 💵 A client (prostitution) 🃏 A card round 🕒 A work shift
trick

trick

1 8.3
A period of work when someone is on duty
  • noun
  • /trɪk/
  • Slang
: turno
  • He worked the late trick on weekends to earn extra money for his studies.

Examples

  • Look, how long will it be before you'll be able to take a trick again?

    Coffy (1973)

  • The foreman replied, "That means doing a trick."

    Fiction book (1992)

  • You'd better take the first trick, Godfrey.

    Sideshow (2000)

  • Moodie completed the hat trick at 7:52 after Rodrigues carried the puck up the right side.

    Blog text (10)

  • During the night shift, each worker took their turn at the trick to ensure constant coverage.

  • The factory operates on a three-hour trick system to maintain productivity around the clock.

Synonyms

turn
vstrick
749 1.0

A chance in a sequence to act or speak

refers to a scheduled regular period rather than a single chance to act
shift
vstrick
640 2.1

A period of work during which people do a job

focuses on the time period rather than the worker group
work shift
vstrick
11 2.3

A period of time when you are scheduled to work, for example morning or night

covers similar scheduled time but also other recurring job periods
duty period
vstrick
1 3.1

A set time when a person must work and be available

is used more generally for regular rotation periods, not only formal assignments

Idioms

to do the trick
  • Informal
87 3.7

To get the result you want

trick in the book
  • Informal
14 4.3

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

every trick in the book
  • Informal
5 4.6

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

to turn a trick
  • NSFW
2 9.9

To have sex with a customer for money

trick in one's hip pocket
  • Informal
8.2

A secret plan kept to use later when you need it

trick up (one's) sleeve
  • Informal
6.5

A secret plan kept to use as a surprise when needed

Compounds

trick or treat
  • Baby Talk
107 2.5

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

magic trick
44 2.7

A performance that looks impossible and surprises people

trick question
22 5.3

A question that tries to confuse you with a surprising answer

card trick
14 2.8

A trick that uses playing cards to entertain people

dirty trick
12 4.9

An unfair action meant to harm or cheat someone

hat trick
11 3.7

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

parlour trick
  • UK
11 6.7

A simple magic trick to amuse people at a small party

one-trick pony
  • Offensive
5 6.0

A person or thing with only one skill

Jedi mind trick
  • Informal
4 8.7

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

mean trick
  • Informal
2 5.4

An action that hurts or deceives someone on purpose

conjuring trick
1 4.9

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

confidence trick
1 6.6

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

Surface Forms

trick singular
tricks plural

Etymology

Trick can mean a worker's 'turn' or time on duty, from the idea of a short 'turn' of work. A trick at the helm is simply your shift or turn to do the job.