cunning ruse

USAGE SUMMARY

"cunning ruse" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a clever or devious plan. For example, "The thief employed a cunning ruse to break into the bank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It all sounds very reasonable.Then again, Comcast's move may simply be a cunning ruse to circumvent net-neutrality rules.

The Economist

Even people who usually shun gambling as a cunning ruse for the state to raise taxes do it.

The New York Times

At Burberry's "Weather Boys" show, it rained on the catwalk during the finale, a cunning ruse to showcase even more of the label's coats.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr Joyce accused President Kabila of repeatedly using this "cunning ruse" of seizing national assets, selling them "to a mate for a pittance" who then makes "a few hundred million dollars' profit".

Independent

It is a cunning ruse, the embodiment of Valencia's modus operandi over the last year: pretend everything's OK, perfectly normal, and in a funny sort of way it will be.

The Guardian - Sport

So might Obama's referencing Goodwin also be a cunning ruse: the dressing up of power politics in intellectual clothes, while playing to a liberal gallery, long-offended by Bush as their imbecile in chief.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Troop numbers were progressively reduced from 7 December and cunning ruses were performed to fool the Turks and to prevent them from discovering the Allies that were departing.

Wikipedia

Or an even more cunning PR ruse, to help ensure the chief secretary to the Treasury is no longer best remembered in social media circles for a titanic trump he reportedly let rip – and which startled Sky News staff inadvertently recorded – while waiting to be interviewed about the May 2011 local elections.

The Guardian

In a spirit of if you can't beat 'em... the Lib Dem press office announced on its Twitter feed that it was "just joining in on the #DannysWalks fun" - possibly a cunning PR ruse to kill the meme stone dead.

The Guardian

This is why Chelsea's changing room ruse was so cunning.

BBC

In current usage, a ploy is more cunning than a subterfuge, not as overtly false or bookishly old-fashioned as a ruse and somewhat more creative than a tactic.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cunning ruse" when you want to emphasize both the cleverness and the deceptive nature of a plan. It's best suited for situations where the intent is to mislead someone in a sophisticated way.

Common error

Avoid using "cunning ruse" when a simpler term like "trick" or "plan" would suffice. "Cunning ruse" implies a level of sophistication and deception that may be inappropriate for everyday, straightforward situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cunning ruse" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It denotes a deceptive plan or scheme characterized by cleverness and guile, as illustrated by Ludwig examples where it modifies actions aimed at misleading or circumventing rules. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cunning ruse" is a noun phrase used to describe a cleverly deceptive plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media sources, indicating a neutral register. The phrase conveys a sense of both cleverness and deception, making it suitable for describing elaborate schemes. Alternative phrases include "clever scheme" and "deceptive tactic". When using "cunning ruse", ensure the situation warrants the implication of sophisticated deception; simpler terms may be more appropriate in straightforward contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crafty stratagem

Emphasizes the skill and artfulness employed in the deceptive plan.

clever scheme

Emphasizes the ingenuity and planning involved in a secret or underhanded project.

ingenious ploy

Stresses the inventive and creative aspect of the strategy.

deceptive tactic

Focuses on the act of deception as a maneuver within a larger plan.

calculated deception

Highlights the deliberate and planned nature of the deceptive act.

shrewd maneuver

Highlights the intelligence and strategic planning behind an action.

artful dodge

Implies skillful evasion and clever avoidance of something.

subtle deception

Focuses on the delicate and understated nature of the deceit.

sly trick

Implies a more playful or less serious form of deception.

underhanded tactic

Highlights the unethical or unfair nature of the approach.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "cunning ruse" in a sentence?

The phrase "cunning ruse" is best used to describe a plan that is both clever and deceitful, often involving a degree of complexity. For example, "The con artist employed a "cunning ruse" to swindle the wealthy investor."

What are some alternatives to "cunning ruse" that I can use?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "clever scheme", "deceptive tactic", or "ingenious ploy". Each carries a slightly different connotation, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is "cunning ruse" a formal or informal expression?

"Cunning ruse" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. It's appropriate for news articles, reports, and other forms of objective writing, but may sound somewhat out of place in very casual conversation.

What distinguishes a "cunning ruse" from a simple "trick"?

A "cunning ruse" implies a level of sophistication, complexity, and often, deliberate deception, that a simple "trick" may not possess. A trick can be a simple act of deception, while a "cunning ruse" involves a more elaborate and thought-out plan.