maneuver

A careful or skillful movement made while driving or controlling a vehicle.

• That parking maneuver was difficult.
• The pilot performed a sharp maneuver to avoid the birds.
• Drivers must signal before making this maneuver.

Similar words: movement

Common phrases: parking maneuver, difficult maneuver, perform a maneuver

A carefully planned action that helps you reach a goal, sometimes by hiding your real purpose.

• It was a clever maneuver.
• Her final maneuver left her opponent unable to respond.
• The political maneuver secured enough votes for the bill.

Similar words: tactic, ploy, stratagem

Common phrases: tactical maneuver, political maneuver, clever maneuver

A clever plan for getting what you want, often without others noticing your purpose.

• Nobody understood his maneuver at first.
• Their clever maneuver kept the rival company out.
• The maneuver depended on everyone keeping the plan secret.

Similar words: ploy, scheme, stratagem

Common phrases: subtle maneuver, clever maneuver, strategic maneuver

A planned movement of soldiers or military vehicles, or a large practice exercise for them.

• The army began its maneuvers.
• The maneuver moved the tanks behind enemy lines.
• Thousands of soldiers took part in winter maneuvers.

How to use it: on maneuvers (The troops are away on maneuvers this week.)

Similar words: military exercise, troop movement

Common phrases: military maneuver, naval maneuver, on maneuvers

To move something carefully into a position, especially when there is little space.

• He maneuvered the car into the garage.
• We had to maneuver the table through a narrow doorway.
• Can you maneuver around those parked trucks?

How to use it: maneuver something into something (She maneuvered the sofa into the elevator.); maneuver through something (The cyclist maneuvered through the crowded street.)

Similar words: steer, guide, move

Common phrases: maneuver a car, maneuver into something, maneuver through something

To carefully influence someone or arrange a situation so that you get the result you want.

• They maneuvered him into signing the contract.
• She maneuvered herself into a position of power.
• The manager is maneuvering his rival out of the company.

How to use it: maneuver someone into doing something (They maneuvered him into accepting the offer.); maneuver someone out of something (Her rivals maneuvered her out of the leadership.)

Similar words: manipulate, steer, engineer

Common phrases: maneuver someone into something, maneuver for position, maneuver someone out

To act cleverly and carefully to gain an advantage or achieve a goal.

• Both teams maneuvered for an advantage.
• She maneuvered carefully throughout the negotiations.
• The rivals are maneuvering for power.

How to use it: maneuver for something (The candidates maneuvered for control of the party.)

Similar words: scheme, strategize

Common phrases: maneuver for advantage, maneuver for power, maneuver around something