cunning move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cunning move" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clever or deceitful action taken to achieve a particular goal, often in a strategic context. Example: "His cunning move to outsmart the competition paid off in the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Cunning move, Jenkins.

The Guardian - Film

A cunning move, that TV set.

The Guardian

The thank-you tour was a cunning move, obviously designed to inoculate Brown against all the starry stuff, including the Leno appearance, the "S.N.L".

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr Ravalomanana countered with a proposal for a referendum, a cunning move since no one knows how much support Mr Rajoelina has outside the capital.

The Economist

Then in a cunning move, King Sihanouk announced he would give up the throne to run in his country's first independent elections.

The New York Times

It was a cunning move: the youthful then-shadow chancellor now had a grey-bearded economist on his team, and an institution that would do for tax-and-spend policy what Gordon Brown did for interest-rate policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But his oratory and cunning moved an isolationist nation and Congress to side with Britain and France against Germany.

The New York Times

"James and the Giant Peach," which was adapted into an animated film in 1996 (featuring Susan Sarandon, in an especially cunning casting move, as Miss Spider), has sold over 12 million copies worldwide and been translated into 34 languages.

The New York Times

It was perhaps Roem's most cunning campaign move to focus on bread-and-butter issues like turnpike gridlock which enabled her to better handle GOP attacks on her gender identity.

Vice

Mr. Reid, who has time and again been hornswoggled by Mr. McConnell's cunning parliamentarian moves, countered that the problem was Republicans slowing bills and sometimes killing them with procedural tricks.

The New York Times

The marriage of quirky eccentricity and psychological authenticity is a Gardam technique, but here her cunning wit, moving deftly between scenes and eras, displays the tragedy of a vintage world forever passing away.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a plan or action that is both clever and perhaps slightly underhanded, "cunning move" can add a layer of intrigue and sophistication to your writing. Ensure the context supports the slightly negative connotation of "cunning".

Common error

Avoid using "cunning move" when a more neutral term like "strategic decision" or "clever plan" would be more appropriate. "Cunning" implies a level of deception or manipulation that may not always be intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cunning move" functions as a noun phrase, where "cunning" modifies the noun "move". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase describes a particular action or decision, typically highlighting its cleverness and potential deceptiveness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cunning move" is a noun phrase used to describe an action or strategy characterized by cleverness and potential deception. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media contexts. The phrase serves to highlight the intelligence and sometimes the trickery involved in a particular decision or action. While "cunning" can have negative connotations, in many usages, it simply emphasizes the smart, strategic nature of the action. Therefore, writers should be mindful of the context to ensure that the implication aligns with the intended message. Alternative phrases like "astute maneuver" or "clever strategy" can provide a more neutral tone if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astute maneuver

Replaces "cunning" with "astute", emphasizing cleverness and insight.

shrewd tactic

Substitutes "cunning" with "shrewd", highlighting practical intelligence, and "move" with "tactic", suggesting a planned action.

clever strategy

Replaces both words with more neutral synonyms, focusing on intelligence and planning.

ingenious scheme

Emphasizes inventiveness and secret planning by using "ingenious" and "scheme".

devious ploy

Highlights deception and a manipulative aspect by using "devious" and "ploy".

crafty stratagem

Uses synonyms that suggest skill in deception and military-like planning.

wily gambit

Implies risk-taking and strategic deception.

sly maneuver

Focuses on the secretive and subtle aspects of the action.

artful dodge

Emphasizes skillful evasion and cleverness in avoiding a problem.

cagey trick

Indicates a guarded approach and a slight deception or surprise.

FAQs

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

You can use "cunning move" to describe a clever or strategic action, often with a hint of deception. For example: "His "cunning move" in the negotiation secured the deal."

What's a less negatively-connotated alternative to "cunning move"?

If you want to avoid the slightly negative implication of "cunning", consider using alternatives like "astute maneuver" or "clever strategy" instead.

When is it appropriate to use "cunning move" versus "strategic move"?

"Cunning move" is suitable when the action involves cleverness and perhaps a degree of deception, whereas "strategic move" is a more neutral term for a well-planned action. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the element of trickery or simply the planning.

Can "cunning move" be used in a positive context?

While "cunning" often carries a negative connotation, "cunning move" can be used in a positive context when the situation warrants it. For example, describing a sports player's brilliant, unexpected play as a "cunning move" might be appropriate if it secured a victory against the odds.