manoeuvre

Universal Words (BrE) (AmE maneuver) noun, verb noun 1 [C] a movement performed with care and skill: a complicated / skilful manoeuvre * You will be asked to perform some standard manoeuvres during your driving test. 2 [C,U] a clever plan, action or movement that is used to give sb an advantage: diplomatic manoeuvres * a complex manoeuvre in a game of chess * The amendment was somehow introduced by political manoeuvre. 3 (manoeuvres) [pl.] military exercises involving a large number of soldiers, ships, etc: The army is on manoeuvres in the desert. IDIOMS freedom of / room for manoeuvre the chance to change the way that sth happens and influence decisions that are made: Small farmers have limited room for manoeuvre. verb 1 to move or turn skilfully or carefully; to move or turn sth skilfully or carefully: [V] The yachts manoeuvred for position. * There was very little room to manoeuvre. * [VN] She manoeuvred the car carefully into the garage. 2 to control or influence a situation in a skilful but sometimes dishonest way: [V] The new laws have left us little room to manoeuvre (= not much opportunity to change or influence a situation). * [VN+adv./prep.] She manoeuvred her way to the top of the company.