schtick
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A characteristic or rehearsed routine, especially of a performer: A particular style, gimmick, or piece of business that a performer, especially a comedian, uses as a signature part of their act. 2. A contrived or habitual attention-getting device: A mannerism, trick, or routine used to attract notice, often in a way that seems artificial or overused. 3. A prank or piece of clowning: A playful or mischievous act intended to amuse. 4. A devious trick; a bit of cheating: A dishonest or deceptive act. 5. A little bit; a piece: A small portion or amount of something (informal usage).
Usage Examples
- As a performer's routine:
- The comedian's schtick involves a lot of physical humor and funny voices.
- After years in vaudeville, his schtick was polished and predictable.
- As an attention-getting device:
- Her whole "helpless" act is just a schtick to get people to do things for her.
- The politician's folksy schtick doesn't appeal to urban voters.
- As a prank:
- He pulled a silly schtick with a rubber chicken to lighten the mood.
- As a devious trick:
- I can't believe you fell for that old schtick.
- As a small piece (informal):
- He told a schtick of gossip he'd heard.
Advanced Usage
- "To do one's schtick": To perform one's characteristic routine or act.
- At every party, he does his schtick about his terrible commute.
- "No schtick" / "Without any schtick": Honestly, sincerely, without gimmicks or artifice.
- For once, he spoke with no schtick, and we finally saw the real person.
Variants and Related Words
- Shtick (noun): An alternative, more common spelling of .
- Shtik (noun): Another variant spelling.
- Schticky (adj., informal): Characterized by or resembling a contrived routine.
- His presentation felt a bit schticky and insincere.
Synonyms
- Gimmick: A trick or device intended to attract attention.
- Routine: A sequence of actions regularly followed, especially by a performer.
- Act: A performance or a pretended manner.
- Gag: A joke or humorous stunt.
- Ploy: A cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage.
Related Idioms
- Same old schtick: Refers to a routine or behavior that is tiresomely familiar and unoriginal.
- He gave us the same old schtick about hard work and determination.
Noun
- (Yiddish) a devious trick; a bit of cheating
- how did you ever fall for a shtik like that?
- (Yiddish) a prank or piece of clowning
- his shtik made us laugh
- (Yiddish) a contrived and often used bit of business that a performer uses to steal attention
- play it straight with no shtik
- (Yiddish) a little; a piece
- give him a shtik cake
- he's a shtik crazy
- he played a shtik Beethoven