Definition

Noun: * Trick; dodge; ploy; scheme: A clever, often cunning or deceptive, method or technique used to achieve a goal, gain an advantage, or manipulate a situation. It implies a level of craftiness or professional know-how, not necessarily for honest purposes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ta dùng mánh lới để thắng cuộc chơi. (He used a trick to win the game.)
  • Cảnh sát biết tất cả mánh lới của bọn tội phạm. (The police know all the dodges of the criminals.)
  • Đó là một mánh lới quảng cáo rất hiệu quả. (That is a very effective advertising ploy.)

Advanced Usage

• "mánh lới nhà nghề": The trick of the trade; professional know-how.
  • Chỉ có dân trong nghề mới biết những mánh lới nhà nghề đó. (Only people in the trade know those tricks of the trade.)
• "dùng mánh lới": To employ a trick/ploy; to use cunning methods.
  • Hắn dùng mánh lới để lừa người già. (He employs tricks to deceive the elderly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mánh khóe (noun): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with . It carries a similar meaning of a cunning trick or stratagem.
• Thủ đoạn (noun): Tactic, maneuver; can be neutral but often implies a more calculated, potentially underhanded scheme.
• Chiêu trò (noun): Trick, gimmick; often used for deceptive or showy tricks.
• Kỹ xảo (noun): Technique, skill; usually refers to legitimate technical skill or craft, but can be used in context to mean a clever trick.

Synonyms

• Trick: A cunning act or scheme intended to deceive or outwit.
• Dodge: A clever trick to avoid something, especially a rule or duty.
• Ploy: A cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage.
• Ruse: An action intended to deceive someone; a trick.
• Stratagem: A plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end.

Related Phrases

• Lừa đảo (verb phrase): To swindle, to defraud. (This is the action often performed using ).
• Qua mặt (verb phrase): To outsmart, to get past someone using cleverness or deception.

Related Idioms

• "Biết mánh": To know the tricks; to be street-smart or know the ropes in a particular area.
  • Anh ấy biết mánh lắm, khó mà lừa được. (He knows all the tricks, it's hard to fool him.)

noun

1. trick; dodge
   • mánh lới nhà nghề
     the trick of the trade