Harry Houdini
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Definition
Proper noun * Harry Houdini: The stage name of Erik Weisz (1874–1926), a Hungarian-American illusionist, stunt performer, and escape artist. He is world-famous for his sensational and seemingly impossible escape acts from handcuffs, chains, straitjackets, locked containers, and water-filled tanks.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- Harry Houdini captivated audiences with his death-defying escapes.
- The legend of Harry Houdini continues to inspire modern magicians.
- He studied the techniques of Harry Houdini to improve his own escape act.
Advanced Usage
- "a Houdini" (figurative noun): Used to describe a person who skillfully escapes from a difficult or confining situation.
- The suspect was a real Houdini, managing to slip away from the police twice.
- "Houdini-like" (adjective): Resembling or characteristic of Houdini's escapes; seemingly magical or impossible.
- The spy made a Houdini-like disappearance from the heavily guarded compound.
Variants and Related Words
- Houdini (noun): A common shorthand reference for Harry Houdini.
- The biography is titled simply "Houdini".
- Escape artist (noun): A performer who specializes in escape acts; the term is synonymous with Houdini's primary fame.
Synonyms
- Illusionist
- Escape artist
- Magician
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To pull a Houdini: To escape or disappear in a clever, surprising, or inexplicable way.
- I turned my back for one second and my keys pulled a Houdini—now I can't find them anywhere!
Noun
- United States magician (born in Hungary) famous for his ability to escape from chains or handcuffs or straitjackets or padlocked containers (1874-1926)