a crafty move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a crafty move" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clever or cunning action taken to achieve a specific goal, often in a strategic context. Example: "His decision to invest in the struggling company was a crafty move that paid off in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Villegas opened the scoring with a crafty move in the 22nd minute for his first goal of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

He beat defender Madjid Bougherra with a crafty move in the 57th minute, pushing the ball one way and running the other.

The New York Times

It's a crafty move because many Ryanair passengers travel only at Christmas, so they won't detect how the bag fees soar just as the festive rush begins.

Independent

In a crafty move, the Fed cut the excess charge by half in mid-August and stage-managed borrowing by some obviously solvent banks to lessen the stigma of using the discount facility.

The Economist

In his first game back at Philips Arena, Brunette set up the first goal with a perfect cross-ice pass and scored the game-winner after a crafty move on goalie Frederic Cassivi.

The New York Times - Sports

There may be technical definitions, but it may simply be a crafty move on the part of the film's producers hoping (as they managed at the Globes) for a double-up.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mr. Romney's appearance here on Sunday could be a crafty political move to seriously undercut President Obama, or it could be a sign of desperation.

The New York Times

In a crafty legal move, the conservative justices didn't strike down Section 5 of the law, which creates the system for "preclearance".

The Guardian - Opinion

SI.com's Tom Verducci hails Manager Jim Leyland for his crafty move in the sixth inning and Valverde capped another dramatic ninth with the crucial strikeout of Jeter.

The New York Times

Crafty move going in with the pasta for the New Yorkers.

Vice

He also has several crafty moves that come in handy once he has his defender on the move, including a deft midrange game.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a strategic or planned action, use "a crafty move" to emphasize the clever and skillful nature of the action. This phrase is particularly effective in contexts where ingenuity is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "a crafty move" to describe actions that are merely lucky or accidental. The phrase implies intentional planning and skill, so reserve it for situations where these elements are genuinely present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a crafty move" functions as a noun phrase where "crafty" modifies the noun "move". It describes a specific action or decision characterized by cleverness and strategic thinking. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a crafty move" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a clever and strategic action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, conveying ingenuity and strategic thinking. While versatile, it's best used to describe actions resulting from deliberate planning rather than mere chance. Alternatives include "a clever maneuver" and "a shrewd tactic", each offering slight nuances in meaning. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended emphasis on skill and strategic intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clever maneuver

Substitutes "crafty" with "clever" and "move" with "maneuver", emphasizing ingenuity and skill.

a shrewd tactic

Replaces "crafty" with "shrewd" and "move" with "tactic", highlighting astuteness and strategic planning.

a cunning ploy

Uses "cunning" instead of "crafty" and "ploy" instead of "move", suggesting a degree of deception or artfulness.

a strategic play

Emphasizes the strategic aspect of the move, suitable in contexts where planning is key.

a tactical decision

Focuses on the tactical nature of the decision, common in military or competitive scenarios.

an ingenious step

Highlights the inventiveness of the move, portraying it as particularly clever and original.

a deft action

Suggests skill and precision in the execution of the move.

an artful dodge

Implies evasion or skillful avoidance of a problem or opponent.

a wily gambit

Conveys a sense of risk and cleverness, often involving a sacrifice for a greater gain.

a resourceful approach

Highlights the use of available resources in an innovative and effective way.

FAQs

How can I use "a crafty move" in a sentence?

You can use "a crafty move" to describe a clever and strategic action taken to achieve a goal. For example, "The company's decision to merge with its competitor was "a crafty move" that significantly increased its market share."

What are some alternatives to "a crafty move"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a clever maneuver", "a shrewd tactic", or "a cunning ploy".

Is "crafty move" formal or informal?

"Crafty move" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "strategic decision" or "resourceful approach".

What does "a crafty move" imply?

"A crafty move" implies that the action was well-planned and executed with skill and cleverness. It suggests a level of ingenuity and strategic thinking.