Houdini
38
6.0
- proper noun
- /huːˈdiːni/
- Harry Houdini amazed audiences with his incredible escape acts during the early 20th century.
- Harry Houdini
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Watch on YouTubeThe spirit of Houdini inside magic jokes.
- The spirit of Houdini inside magic jokes.
- And finally, let me conclude with the story of Houdini.
- You talk too much big mouth Houdini.
Examples
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Four years ago, I found an old image of Harry Houdini performing the Stray Jackets game high above the streets of Pittsburgh.
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The drums were beating, the bugles were bland, and Houdini strode triumphantly into the jail cell.
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See, when I was your age, Houdini was like a god to me.
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Ever heard of Harry Houdini?
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The carriage stopped, and Houdini stepped out and waved to the crowd.
Fiction book (1996) -
As Mary looked up, Houdini began swinging in a pendulum arc, his hair hanging down.
Fiction book (1996) -
Someone shoved into her hands a pamphlet, Harry Houdini: The Adventurous Life of a Versatile Artist.
Fiction book (1996) -
Many regarded Houdini as the greatest escape artist of all time due to his daring performances.
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In a remarkable feat, Houdini escaped from a sealed water tank while handcuffed.
Synonyms
5
6.3
A famous magician who escaped from chains, handcuffs, and locked boxes
Surface Forms
Etymology
Houdini comes from the stage name of the famous magician Harry Houdini, who took it from a French magician called Houdin and added an 'i' to mean 'like Houdin'. Because Harry became famous for escaping from handcuffs, chains, and locked boxes, calling someone a Houdini means they are 'very good at escaping' or 'clever at getting out of a tight situation'.