knack

/næk/

Thân thiện

He has a knack for solving puzzles quickly.

Definition

Noun: 1. A special skill or talent for doing something, especially something that is difficult to explain or teach. It implies a natural ability or a clever, intuitive way of performing a task. 2. A habit or mannerism, especially an annoying or peculiar one. (This meaning is less common).

Examples

• She has a real knack for making people feel at ease.
• After years of practice, he finally got the knack of playing the guitar.
• There's a certain knack to folding these boxes quickly.
• (Less common meaning) He has a knack of clearing his throat before he speaks.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a knack for (doing) something": This is the most common construction, used to express a natural talent or skill.
  • The chef has a knack for combining unexpected flavors.
• "to get the knack of (doing) something": This phrase means to acquire or learn the skill through practice.
  • It took me a while to get the knack of using this new software.

Variants and Related Words

• Knackered (adj, informal, chiefly British): Extremely tired. (Note: This is a different word with a different meaning, derived from slang).
  • After the long hike, I was completely knackered.

Synonyms

• Talent: A natural aptitude or skill.
• Flair: A natural or instinctive ability.
• Bent: A natural inclination or tendency.
• Gift: A natural ability.
• Skill: The ability to do something well.
• Expertise: Expert skill or knowledge in a particular field.
• Trick (informal, in the sense of a special technique):

Antonyms

• Inability: Lack of the means or skill to do something.
• Ineptitude: Lack of skill or ability.
• Clumsiness: Awkwardness in movement or action.

Idioms and Phrases

• "Get the hang of it": To learn how to do something, to understand the knack. This is a very close synonym in the context of acquiring a skill.
  • Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it after a few tries.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a special way of doing something
   • he had a bent for it
   • he had a special knack for getting into trouble
   • he couldn't get the hang of it

Từ đồng nghĩa

• bent
• hang