trick

Universal Words noun, verb noun sth to deceive sb 1 something that you do to deceive sb or to annoy sb as a joke: They had to think of a trick to get past the guards. * The kids are always playing tricks on their teacher. * It was a trick question (= one to which the answer seems easy but actually is not). seealsoCONFIDENCETRICK, DIRTYTRICK sth confusing 2 something that confuses you so that you see, understand, remember, etc. things in the wrong way: One of the problems of old age is that your memory can start to play tricks on you. * Was there somebody standing there or was it a trick of the light? * It's all done using trick photography (= photography that uses clever techniques to show things that do not actually exist or are impossible). entertainment 3 a clever action that sb/sth performs as a way of entertaining people: He amused the kids with conjuring tricks. * a card trick seealsoHAT-TRICK good method 4 [usuallysing.] a way of doing sth that works well; a good method: The trick is to pick the animal up by the back of its neck. * He used the old trick of attacking in order to defend himself. in card games 5 the cards that you play or win in a single part of a card game: I made / won six tricks in a row. IDIOMS a bag / box of tricks (informal) a set of methods or equipment that sb can use: Hotel managers are using a whole new bag of tricks to attract their guests. be up to your (old) tricks (informal, disapproving) to be behaving in the same dishonest way as before: He had soon spent all the money and was up to his old tricks. do the trick (informal) to succeed in solving a problem or achieving a particular result: I don't know what it was that did the trick, but I am definitely feeling much better. every trick in the book every available method, whether it is honest or not: He'll try every trick in the book to stop you from winning. have a trick, some more tricks, etc. up your sleeve to have an idea, some plans, etc. that you keep ready to use if it becomes necessary trick or treat said by children who visit people's houses at Halloween and threaten to play tricks on people who do not give them sweets/candy the tricks of the trade the clever ways of doing things, known and used by people who do a particular job or activity turn a trick (AmE, slang) to have sex with sb for money moreatMISSv., TEACH verb [VN] to deceive sb: I'd been tricked and I felt stupid. * He managed to trick his way past the security guards. PHRASALVERBS trick sb into sth / into doing sth to make sb do sth by means of a trick: He tricked me into lending him ｣100. trick sb out of sth to get sth from sb by means of a trick: She was tricked out of her life savings. trick sb/sth<->out (in / with sth) (literary) to dress or decorate sb/sth in a way that attracts attention