fenagle

A man tries to fenagle a better deal on a used car.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To obtain or achieve something by cleverness, deception, or manipulation: "fenagle" means to secure a desired outcome through cunning, trickery, or skillful maneuvering, often in a slightly dishonest or unethical manner.
   • To wangle: To manage to get something through devious or indirect means.

Usage Examples

• (He used cleverness or deception to get the seat unfairly.)
• (She used trickery to gain entry.)
• (He used manipulation to get a favorable outcome.)

Advanced Usage

• "to fenagle one's way into": to gain access to a place or situation through cunning.

  • He fenagled his way into the closed meeting by posing as a security guard. (He used deception to enter.)

• "to fenagle something out of someone": to obtain something from someone by trickery.

  • She fenagled a free lunch out of her boss by claiming she had no money. (She got the lunch through manipulation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Finagle (v): the more common spelling variant; identical in meaning.

  • He finagled a raise by exaggerating his achievements. (He used deception to get a salary increase.)

• Fenagler (n): a person who fenagles.

  • He's a known fenagler in the business world. (Someone who uses cunning to get what they want.)

Synonyms

• Wangle: to obtain something through cleverness or manipulation.

  • She wangled an invitation to the private dinner. (She got it through clever means.)

• Manipulate: to control or influence someone or something in a clever or dishonest way.

  • He manipulated the situation to his advantage. (He used cunning to benefit himself.)

• Scheming: acting with cunning or deceit to achieve a goal.

  • Her scheming nature helped her get ahead. (She used deceptive plans.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Fenagle into: to enter or secure a position through trickery.

  • He fenagled into the job by lying about his qualifications. (He got the job through deception.)

• Fenagle out of: to avoid or escape something through cleverness.

  • She fenagled out of paying the fine by claiming ignorance. (She avoided the penalty through cunning.)

Related Idioms

• To pull a fast one: to deceive or trick someone.

  • He pulled a fast one on the company by faking the receipts. (He used deception to cheat the company.)

• To get away with murder: to do something wrong without being punished.

  • She got away with murder when she fenagled the bonus. (She succeeded in her deceit without consequence.)