n. 1 ruse, artifice, device, stratagem, wile, deception, manoeuvre, deceit, fraud, hoax, imposture, intrigue, machination, conspiracy, subterfuge, dodge, confidence trick, sham, Slang con The government's 'dirty tricks squad' perpetrated crimes against their political adversaries 2 prank, frolic, antic, (practical) joke, hoax, tomfoolery, antic, caper, jape; sport, horseplay, mischief; Scots cantrip, Colloq leg-pull, gag, shenanigans, US dido The boys meant no harm, they're just up to their tricks 3 art, knack, technique, skill, secret, gift, ability, Colloq hang He has developed the trick of persuading people to buy life insurance 4 Usually, no mean trick. feat, accomplishment, deed It was no mean trick to train a cat to fetch his slippers 5 sleight of hand, legerdemain, magic, stunt I have taught him all the tricks I know 6 trait, characteristic, peculiarity, idiosyncrasy, eccentricity, quirk, practice, habit, mannerism, crotchet, weakness, foible He has an odd trick of winking while giving a sly smile 7 do the trick. work, answer, fulfil the need, suffice, be effective, solve or take care of the problem, do or accomplish the necessary, US turn the trick, Colloq fill the bill Replacing the battery cable did the trick
v. 8 fool, hoodwink, dupe, mislead, outwit, outmanoeuvre, deceive, misguide, misinform, gull, bilk, cheat, defraud, cozen, take in, swindle, humbug, Colloq bamboozle, take, put something over on (someone), pull the wool over (someone's) eyes, Brit gammon, Slang rook I knew I had been tricked when I missed my wallet For years the couple made a living tricking tourists out of their money. She tricked me into taking her to dinner.
adj. 9 See tricky, 3, below.