Definition

Noun 1. A martial art and method of unarmed combat: A traditional Japanese system of self-defense that utilizes holds, throws, and joint locks, emphasizing using an opponent's own force and momentum against them. 2. A strategic method or technique: By extension, a clever strategy or method for achieving a goal by using an adversary's strengths or actions to one's own advantage.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Martial Art):
  • She studied jujitsu for years to learn effective self-defense techniques.
  • The police officer used a jujitsu hold to subdue the suspect without injury.
• Noun (Strategic Method):
  • The lawyer's jujitsu in the courtroom turned the prosecution's argument against them.
  • The company's marketing campaign was a brilliant piece of competitive jujitsu.

Advanced Usage

• Political/Verbal Jujitsu: The tactical use of an opponent's rhetoric or position to undermine their argument.
  • The debater employed a form of verbal jujitsu, using her opponent's statistics to prove her own point.

Variants and Related Words

• Jujutsu (noun): An alternate romanization of the same Japanese martial art.
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) (noun): A modern derivative and combat sport that focuses heavily on ground fighting and submission holds, evolving from Japanese jujitsu.
• Jujitsuka (noun): A practitioner of jujitsu.

Synonyms

• Martial art: (General term) Any of various systems of combat and self-defense.
• Wrestling: (Specific similarity) A sport involving grappling and holds.
• Aikido: (Related art) Another Japanese martial art that uses an opponent's energy.

Related Phrases

• Psychological jujitsu: A metaphorical use describing a mental strategy of redirecting psychological pressure.
  • Facing criticism, he used psychological jujitsu, agreeing with some points to defuse the attack.

Related Idioms

• The jujitsu of [something]: A phrase used to describe a situation where a disadvantage is turned into an advantage through clever strategy.
  • The small startup's agility was the jujitsu of the industry, allowing it to outmaneuver larger competitors.

Noun

1. a method of self-defense without weapons that was developed in China and Japan; holds and blows are supplemented by clever use of the attacker's own weight and strength