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to outslick

to outslick

1 8.9
To be more clever than someone to win in a competition or argument
  • verb
  • /aʊtˈslɪk/
  • US
translation icon : superar en astucia
  • The experienced negotiator managed to outslick the seasoned dealer and get the best deal.

Examples

  • In the competitive world of sales, she knew how to outslick her rivals with clever strategies.

  • To win the game, he had to outslick his opponents and anticipate their every move.

  • You wouldn't believe how many people try to outslick me?

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

to outsmart
vsto outslick
54 4.1

To get an advantage over someone by being clever

focuses on cleverness used specifically in competitive situations
to outmaneuver
vsto outslick
  • US
15 7.7

Gain an advantage over someone by using skill or clever plans

leans more toward one person being clever rather than planned skill
to outplay
vsto outslick
14 4.2

Do better than and beat an opponent in a game

involves cleverness specifically to gain advantage in competition
to outwit
vsto outslick
11 4.7

To beat someone by being more clever than them

is the general idea of being more clever in competition
to outthink
vsto outslick
8 5.9

Think faster or smarter than someone to get an advantage

stresses general clever or cunning behavior in competitions
to outfox
vsto outslick
5 6.7

To beat someone by being more clever

is the same competitive cleverness but more neutral in tone
to outflank
vsto outslick
4 7.0

To gain an advantage over someone by using clever or unexpected actions

is broader, meaning simple cleverness in a competitive situation
to outcompete
vsto outslick
2 6.1

To do better than someone or something and win

adds the idea of cleverness and cunning in competitive contexts
to outgain
vsto outslick
2 6.7

To gain more than someone else, especially in a competition

is about being more clever or cunning to gain advantage
to overreach
vsto outslick
1 7.9

To trick someone to gain an unfair advantage

is focused on being more clever without implying excess or risk
to play the fox
vsto outslick
8.8

Act in a clever, tricky way to fool others

is similar but covers cleverness without necessarily being deceitful
to box clever
vsto outslick
  • UK
8.3

Act in a smart, careful way to gain an advantage

is the specific idea of being more clever or cunning than others
to outvie
vsto outslick
  • Archaic
9.9

To try to be better than someone in a contest or task

is about clever or cunning advantage rather than mere success

How Clever

to outsmart
54 4.1
to outslick
  • US
1 8.9
to outfox
5 6.7
to outmaneuver
  • US
15 7.7

Surface Forms

outslick infinitive
outslicked past
outslicked past participle
outslicking present participle
outslicks third person singular

Morphology

outslick = slick (transparent) = out + slick

The meaning of 'outslick' is clearly derived from 'out' + 'slick', indicating surpassing someone in cleverness.

Etymology

The word outslick starts with out- meaning 'more than' (as in outsmart) and ends with slick, meaning 'smooth' or 'clever'. So to outslick someone is to be 'smoother' or more clever than they are, especially in a contest.