cunning ploy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cunning ploy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clever or deceitful scheme or tactic employed to achieve a specific goal. Example: "The politician's cunning ploy to win over voters involved spreading misinformation about his opponent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Does Davis think people are affected by this uniquely cunning ploy?

The Guardian

Their most cunning ploy, as they barrel toward romantic harmony, is to remove any emotional obstacles that could stall their progress.

The New Yorker

I understand the archery is to be held at Lord's and I'm wondering whether this is a cunning ploy to boost our medal tally.

Independent

But with Spector suffering severe memory loss – unless it's a cunning ploy, of course – how the case will proceed is thrown into doubt.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Cormann also declared after the vote that Labor had perpetrated a "cunning ploy" and would wear the backpacker tax issue like a "rose of crowns".

The Guardian

"Ted Kennedy is the conservative senator from Massachusetts!"In this section The man who would be king The biggest prize so far John Edwards's cunning ploy Primary colour Whodunnit?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Instead of near daily threats of nuclear annihilation for the "nest of evil" in the United States and promises to "press the button," the North in recent days has grumbled over a "crafty ploy" and "cunning trick" by America and its allies to strip the North of its nuclear arsenal.

The New York Times

Clever ploy, that.

Huffington Post

Admirable enough – though, if you think about it, a very cunning marketing ploy indeed.

The Guardian - Arts

This was despite the cunning marketing ploy of releasing it on Tuesday last week - the sixth of the sixth, 2006.

The Guardian - Film

(Or perhaps it enhances the shock of what you hear - maybe that's the cunning expressive ploy of Lutosławski's prose).

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cunning ploy" when you want to emphasize both the cleverness and the potential deceptiveness of a plan or action. It suggests a calculated move designed to achieve a specific goal, often with a slightly negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "cunning ploy" in contexts where you intend to convey pure ingenuity or cleverness without any implication of deceit or manipulation. The word 'cunning' often carries a negative undertone, so consider alternatives like 'clever strategy' if you wish to avoid this.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cunning ploy" functions as a noun phrase where "cunning" modifies "ploy", characterizing it as clever but potentially deceitful. Ludwig shows it's used to describe strategies that are both intelligent and manipulative.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cunning ploy" effectively combines cleverness with potential deceit, typically used to express disapproval or suspicion. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is standard, but its connotation leans toward the negative, making it more suited for neutral or informal contexts rather than formal or scientific discourse. While widely used in news and media, writers should be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation. Alternatives such as "clever scheme" or "astute strategy" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceptive tactic

Replaces "cunning" with "deceptive", emphasizing the misleading nature of the tactic.

clever scheme

Substitutes "cunning" with "clever" and "ploy" with "scheme", focusing on the intelligence behind the plan.

astute strategy

Replaces "cunning" with "astute", indicating shrewdness and strategic thinking.

ingenious trick

Emphasizes the creativity and craftiness of the action.

artful maneuver

Highlights the skill and finesse involved in the action.

wily stratagem

Uses more formal and somewhat archaic terms to describe a deceptive plan.

shrewd move

Focuses on the practical intelligence and advantageous nature of the action.

crafty ruse

Highlights the deceptive and often elaborate nature of the action.

slick operation

Suggests a smooth and efficient, but possibly unethical, plan.

subtle manipulation

Focuses on the hidden and indirect influence exerted through the action.

FAQs

How can "cunning ploy" be used in a sentence?

You can use "cunning ploy" to describe a clever or deceitful scheme. For example: "The politician's "cunning ploy" to win over voters involved spreading misinformation about his opponent."

What are some alternatives to "cunning ploy"?

Some alternatives include "clever scheme", "deceptive tactic", or "astute strategy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What distinguishes "cunning ploy" from "clever strategy"?

"Cunning ploy" often implies a degree of deception or manipulation, whereas "clever strategy" typically refers to intelligence and ingenuity without the negative connotation.

Is "cunning ploy" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "cunning ploy" may be perceived as slightly informal or biased due to its negative connotation. In formal writing, consider using a more neutral alternative such as "strategic maneuver" or "astute plan".