outfox
/aut'fɔks/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To defeat or gain an advantage over someone by being more clever, cunning, or shrewd than they are. It implies using superior intelligence, strategy, or trickery to overcome an opponent or a difficult situation.
Usage
- The verb "outfox" is transitive and requires a direct object (the person or entity being outsmarted). It is often used in contexts involving competition, strategy, or deception.
- It carries a connotation of cleverness and wit, suggesting the winner was not necessarily stronger but smarter.
Examples
- Verb:
- The small startup managed to outfox the industry giant by securing the patent first.
- In the negotiation, she outfoxed her experienced rivals with a brilliant, unexpected offer.
- The detective outfoxed the criminal by setting a clever trap.
Advanced Usage
- "to be outfoxed": To be the one who is defeated by superior cleverness.
- Despite their confidence, the seasoned politicians were outfoxed by the newcomer's grassroots campaign.
Variants and Related Words
- Outsmart (verb): A very close synonym, meaning to defeat by being smarter or more cunning.
- Outwit (verb): To defeat by using greater intelligence or mental agility.
- Outmaneuver (verb): To gain an advantage through superior strategy or movement, often in a physical or tactical context. While similar, it can be less focused on pure cleverness and more on tactical skill.
Synonyms
- Outsmart
- Outwit
- Outthink
- Outmaneuver (in strategic contexts)
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "To outfox someone at their own game": To defeat someone using the very methods or strategies they are known for or are trying to use.
- The chess master was known for aggressive openings, but his opponent outfoxed him at his own game with a defensive counter-strategy.
Verb
- beat through cleverness and wit
- I beat the traffic
- She outfoxed her competitors
- outdo someone in trickery