Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
tactical maneuver

tactical maneuver

1 6.5
A planned move to gain an advantage, for example in chess or sport
  • noun
  • /ˈtæktɪkəl məˈnuːvər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : maniobra táctica
  • In chess, executing a tactical maneuver can turn the game in your favor, catching your opponent off guard.

Examples

  • It's not like him to make such a poor tactical maneuver.

    Toys (1992)

  • Is this a tactical maneuver?

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The situation was still shaky, however, they would be saved by a brave tactical maneuver of King Sancho himself.

  • Even though Putin has engaged in tactical maneuvers to pacify domestic constituencies and maintain leverage in future bargaining with the United States, he has shown signs of being prepared to abandon Moscow's traditional regard for Iraq as a client and instead throw in his lot with the West.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The general's tactical maneuver surprised his enemies, giving his forces the upper hand in the battle.

  • During the conflict, a tactical maneuver allowed the troops to outflank their opponents quickly.

Synonyms

tactic
vstactical maneuver
516 3.0

A planned action to reach a goal

is a concrete movement used in military or strategic situations to gain advantage
maneuver
vstactical maneuver
  • US
108 6.3

A clever move to gain an advantage in a game or fight

is used mainly in military situations to gain a specific advantage

How Complex

campaign
∞ 2.7
operation
811 3.2
tactical maneuver
  • Specialized
1 6.5
maneuver
  • US
108 6.3
movement
696 1.5

Surface Forms

tactical maneuver singular
tactical maneuvers plural

Morphology

tactical + maneuver

Both constituents ('tactical' = strategically designed for advantage; 'maneuver' = a move to gain advantage) directly compose the phrase meaning an action taken to achieve a tactical advantage. This adjective+noun combination follows straightforward compositional semantics and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Tactical maneuver comes from a clear image: imagine a soldier or a chess player moving quietly and carefully to a new spot to surprise the opponent. The word tactical means a careful plan and maneuver is a planned movement, so the phrase means 'a planned action to gain an advantage'.