TRICK OF THE TRADE

n. phr. , usually in plural , informal 1. A piece of expert knowledge; a smart, quick, or skillful way of working at a trade or job. Mr. Olson spent years learning the tricks of the trade as a carpenter. Any one can learn how to hang wallpaper, but only an expert can show you the tricks of the trade. 2. A smart and sometimes tricky or dishonest way of doing something in order to succeed or win. The champion knows all the tricks of the boxing trade; he knows many ways to hurt his opponent and to get him mixed up.