full of tricks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full of tricks" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to someone or something that is cleverly deceptive, mischievous, or difficult to figure out. Example Sentence: That magician was full of tricks; I could hardly guess which one he was going to do next.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Sparky was full of tricks like that.

The New York Times - Sports

BloodRayne is full of tricks.

The New York Times - Tech

It's full of tricks of gender and identity, symmetries, patterns.

The Guardian

Mrs. De Peyster's parties are always full of tricks.

The New Yorker

"The education reform, full of tricks, is on track to privatize education".

The New York Times

His art was full of tricks and illusions, real and imagined confrontations.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Johnson's headline act this series has allowed Lyon to unobtrusively get the public accustomed to the pleasures of subtle finger spin; no longer does Australia feel the post-Warne addict's need for its spin bowlers to be hammy, big stage showman types, able to turn the ball half a metre and armed with a quiver full of trick balls.

The Guardian - Sport

Pro shooter Kirsten Joy Weiss, who has a YouTube channel full of trick shots and other gun stunts, made a protective vest out of Peeps in 2016 and then fired at it to see how much damage the treats could take.

Huffington Post

But Burnquist took switch-stance further, learning a full repertory of tricks.

The New York Times - Sports

Using the documentarian's full bag of tricks, Mr. Ferguson points the camera at Paul A. Volcker while he sips an amber liquid on the rocks.

The New York Times

The monologue matched his funniest and most exuberant ever, with Stewart using his full bag of tricks — putting on accents, mugging for the camera, his hands flying around in front of him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full of tricks" when you want to emphasize someone's cleverness, often with a hint of mischievousness or deception. For example, "The magician was full of tricks, keeping the audience guessing."

Common error

Avoid using "full of tricks" when you intend to describe genuine skill or talent without any implication of deception. Opt for words like "skilled" or "talented" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of tricks" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe someone or something characterized by clever deception or resourcefulness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "full of tricks" is a common and versatile expression used to describe someone or something that is cleverly deceptive or resourceful. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the connotation of deception, ensuring that it aligns with your intended message. Related phrases like "cunning", "wily", and "crafty" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize. Remember to avoid using it when you intend to convey genuine skill or talent without any implication of trickery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crafty

Indicates skill in deception and manipulation.

cunning

Highlights the clever and strategic nature.

sly

Focuses on the secretive and cunning nature.

wily

Emphasizes skill in deceiving.

artful

Implies skillful and clever deception.

deceptive

Focuses on the misleading aspect.

devious

Highlights dishonesty and trickery.

scheming

Suggests a plan or plot to deceive.

ingenious

Highlights cleverness and originality.

resourceful

Emphasizes the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties, not necessarily deceptive.

FAQs

How can I use "full of tricks" in a sentence?

You can use "full of tricks" to describe someone or something that is cleverly deceptive or mischievous. For example, "The game was full of tricks, making it challenging to predict the outcome."

What is a synonym for "full of tricks"?

Alternatives include "cunning", "wily", or "crafty", each emphasizing different aspects of cleverness and deception.

Is it appropriate to describe a person as "full of tricks"?

Yes, but be mindful of the context. It can imply a negative connotation of deception, so use it when that aspect is relevant to your description.

What's the difference between "full of tricks" and "resourceful"?

"Full of tricks" suggests deception or clever manipulation, while "resourceful" indicates an ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties without necessarily being deceptive.