sly
/slai/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Cunningly deceitful: Characterized by or showing skill in deception, trickery, or dishonesty, often in a secretive or underhanded way.
- Clever in a secretive way: Having or showing a shrewd and often devious awareness, especially in achieving one's own ends.
- Playfully mischievous: (Archaic or less common) Given to or characterized by playful mischief or teasing.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- He gave a sly smile, knowing he had won the argument without anyone noticing.
- The spy used sly tactics to obtain the confidential documents.
- Her compliment was a sly dig at his expensive but tasteless tie.
Advanced Usage
- "on the sly" (idiomatic adverbial phrase): Secretly, furtively, or in a manner intended to avoid notice.
- He was eating cookies on the sly, even though he was on a diet.
- "sly as a fox" (simile): Extremely cunning and clever.
- The old trader was sly as a fox, always getting the better end of a deal.
Variants and Related Words
- Slyly (adverb): In a sly manner.
- He winked slyly at his accomplice.
- Slyness (noun): The quality of being sly.
- Her plan was executed with remarkable slyness.
Synonyms
- Cunning: Skilled in achieving one's ends by deceit.
- Devious: Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics.
- Wily: Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.
- Foxy: Clever and cunning (informal).
- Guileful: Treacherously cunning.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- A sly dog: A person who is secretive about their pleasures or intentions.
- He's a sly dog; he never tells us about his dates.
- Sly boots: (Informal, often humorous) A person who is sly or cunning.
- You're a real sly boots, aren't you? I didn't see that move coming at all.
Adjective
- marked by skill in deception
- cunning men often pass for wise
- deep political machinations
- a foxy scheme
- a slick evasive answer
- sly as a fox
- tricky Dick
- a wily old attorney