Definition

1. Verb (Transitive & Intransitive):
   • To perform a controlled, skillful, or strategic movement, especially of military or naval forces, to gain a tactical advantage.
   • To guide, direct, or steer something (like a vehicle) through a course with skill and care.
   • To manage, plan, or manipulate a situation or people cleverly and strategically to achieve a specific goal.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Military/Naval Tactics):

  • The general ordered the tanks to manoeuver around the enemy's flank.
  • The fleet will manoeuver into a defensive formation.

• Verb (Directing Movement):

  • It took great skill to manoeuver the large truck through the narrow streets.
  • She manoeuvered the boat expertly into the dock.

• Verb (Strategic Planning/Manipulation):

  • He manoeuvered to gain control of the committee.
  • The diplomat manoeuvered the conversation toward a peace agreement.

Advanced Usage

• "to manoeuver (oneself/someone) into/out of a position": To skillfully arrange for oneself or someone else to gain or escape a particular situation.
  • She manoeuvered herself into a leadership role within the organization.
  • The lawyer manoeuvered his client out of a difficult contractual obligation.

Variants and Related Words

• Maneuver (noun): A strategic or skillful movement or plan.

  • The pilot executed a dangerous maneuver.
  • It was a clever political maneuver.

• Maneuverable (adjective): Able to be moved or directed easily and skillfully.

  • The new car is highly maneuverable in city traffic.

• Maneuvering (noun/gerund): The action or process of performing manoeuvers.

  • The maneuvering of the spacecraft required precise calculations.

Synonyms

• Navigate: To plan and direct the route or course.
• Steer: To guide the course of something.
• Engineer: To arrange or bring about skillfully and often deviously.
• Jockey: To maneuver for advantage or position.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Manoeuver for position: To act strategically to improve one's standing or advantage.

  • Several candidates are manoeuvering for position ahead of the election.

• Manoeuver around (an obstacle/problem): To deal with a difficulty skillfully.

  • We had to manoeuver around several legal hurdles to complete the deal.

Related Idioms

• Room for manoeuver: Freedom or opportunity to change your plans or actions.

  • The strict deadline left us with little room for manoeuver.

• Manoeuver (someone) into a corner: To put someone in a position where they have few or no options.

  • During the debate, she skillfully manoeuvered her opponent into a corner.

Verb

1. perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense
2. direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
3. act in order to achieve a certain goal
   • He maneuvered to get the chairmanship
   • She maneuvered herself into the directorship