sleight of hand
/slʌɪt əv ˈhand
/1Manual dexterity, typically in performing conjuring tricks: a nifty bit of sleight of hand got the ashtray into the correct position...
- There is every chance that he performed a little sleight of hand and other conjuring.
- After my first success I became intensely interested and gave up the sleight of hand and conjuring work I had been doing.
- These people are magicians - expert architects of enjoyment - performing incredible sleights of hand.
Synonyms
dexterity, adroitness, deftness, nimbleness of fingers, skill
1.1Skilful deception: this is financial sleight of hand of the worst sort...
- He freely admitted that magic depended on deception and sleight of hand but said: ‘Origami is real magic!’
- One of the most startling public acts of deception and sleight of hand has been undertaken by the provincial government.
- However, people of the present day are getting more enlightened; and although they see something done beyond their ken, yet they know it is only a piece of deception or sleight of hand on the part of the performers.
Synonyms
deception, deceit, dissimulation, double-dealing, chicanery, trickery, sharp practice, legerdemain
See parent entry: sleight