cunning strategy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cunning strategy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clever or deceitful plan or approach to achieve a goal, often in a competitive context. Example: "The team's cunning strategy allowed them to outsmart their opponents and secure victory in the final match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

My cunning strategy this summer?

The Guardian - Opinion

There is cunning, strategy, dodgy dealings.

The Guardian - Film

Cunning strategy Of course, she would say that.

The Guardian

Mourinho's cunning strategy and manipulation of the game — and the news media — earn Drogba's unadulterated praise.

The New York Times

Is this a cunning strategy to make Abbott and other members of his embattled government appear remotely in control of their faculties?

The Guardian - Opinion

I was given more treats when I was kind to my sister, but scolded when I deployed a cunning strategy to beat her at Monopoly.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Fans of Jane Whitefield know what to expect from this fearless Indian guide in Thomas Perry's quick-witted capers: cunning strategies, clever disguises, ingenious escape tactics and breathtaking cross-country chases.

The New York Times - Books

Discussion of the pathology of infections not eradicated by the immune system early on and the cunning strategies of the infectious microbes to evade immune attacks is followed by sections on immunogenetics and exploration of the immune system's interventions against two high-incidence infections, tuberculosis and AIDS.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

AI can devise seemingly-cunning strategies that look prescient (remember AlphaGo) but only when the rules of the game are pre-determined and stable.

Harvard Business Review

"The Trump administration is paying the subsidies, but is trickling them out one month at a time," as part of a "very cunning'' strategy to undermine the health care law, said Senator Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut.

The New York Times

This may be cunning legal strategy, but it's lousy public relations and worse pastoral care.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cunning strategy" when you want to highlight the inventiveness and shrewdness behind a particular course of action, particularly in situations where outsmarting others is a key element.

Common error

While "cunning strategy" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "clever approach" or "innovative plan" might be more appropriate. The word "cunning" can sometimes carry negative connotations of deceit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cunning strategy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "cunning" modifies the noun "strategy". Ludwig examples show its use in describing plans or methods that are clever, and sometimes subtly deceptive, to achieve a goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cunning strategy" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a plan characterized by cleverness and, at times, a degree of deception. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in contexts such as News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. While the word "cunning" might sometimes carry a negative charge, its combination with "strategy" typically denotes a resourceful approach rather than blatant dishonesty. When employing the phrase, consider the context and ensure it aligns with the intended tone, opting for alternatives like "clever strategy" or "ingenious approach" in more formal or academic settings to avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shrewd tactic

Replaces "strategy" with "tactic", implying a more specific and short-term plan.

crafty plan

Emphasizes the skill and deceptiveness involved in the plan by using "crafty".

devious scheme

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of the plan, using "devious" instead of "cunning".

wily scheme

Similar to "sly ploy", "wily scheme" suggests a deceptive and cunning plan.

clever scheme

Substitutes both words to suggest a plan that is smart but potentially underhanded.

sly ploy

Replaces "cunning" with "sly" and "strategy" with "ploy", indicating a secretive and cunning plan.

artful maneuver

Uses "artful" to describe the skill and finesse involved in the strategy, while maneuver replace strategy.

manipulative tactic

Highlights the manipulative aspect of the strategy, suggesting it's designed to control others.

cagey approach

Indicates a cautious and secretive approach, using "cagey" instead of "cunning".

ingenious approach

Replaces "cunning" with "ingenious", highlighting the creativity of the strategy.

FAQs

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

You can use "cunning strategy" to describe a clever or subtly manipulative plan to achieve a goal. For example, "The company employed a "cunning strategy" to outmaneuver its competitors."

What's a less negatively charged alternative to "cunning strategy"?

If you want to avoid the potentially negative connotation of "cunning", consider using "clever strategy", "ingenious plan", or "smart approach" instead.

Is "cunning strategy" always appropriate in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "cunning strategy" might be too informal or carry a slightly negative connotation for some formal writing contexts. Consider whether "strategic ingenuity" or "resourceful method" would be more suitable.

What is the difference between "cunning strategy" and "devious plan"?

"Cunning strategy" implies cleverness and shrewdness, while "devious plan" more strongly suggests deceit and dishonesty. The former is not necessarily unethical, but the latter often is.