Definition

1. Idiom:
   • To resort to all sorts of schemes; to try every trick in the book: Describes the act of employing countless clever plans, tricks, or stratagems in a tireless effort to achieve a specific goal, often implying cunning or relentless effort.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Hắn ta dùng thiên phương bách kế để giành lấy hợp đồng đó. (He used every trick in the book to win that contract.)
  • Dù có thiên phương bách kế, cuối cùng họ cũng thất bại. (Even after resorting to all sorts of schemes, they ultimately failed.)

Advanced Usage

• The idiom often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting the methods used might be overly cunning, deceitful, or desperate. It emphasizes the sheer number and variety of attempts.

Variants and Related Words

• Trăm phương nghìn kế (idiom): A close synonym with the same meaning (a hundred plans, a thousand tricks).
  • Cô ấy dùng trăm phương nghìn kế để thuyết phục họ. (She used a hundred and one methods to persuade them.)

Synonyms

• To leave no stone unturned: To try every possible course of action.
• To try every trick in the book: To use every available method, especially cunning or clever ones.
• To use all manner of stratagems: To employ various clever schemes.

Related Idioms

• Bày mưu tính kế: To plot and scheme.
  • Họ ngồi lại bày mưu tính kế đối phó với đối thủ. (They sat together plotting schemes to deal with their rival.)