grift

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grift" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a form of swindling or obtaining money through deceitful means, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "He managed to grift a few unsuspecting tourists out of their money with his fake tour guide service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Orchestrating it all is what Robbins, by way of Maurer, calls "grift sense".

The New Yorker

It's as if Aimee had grown weary of her own con but is helpless to stop it: she's been on the grift so long that it's the only language she speaks.

The New Yorker

Witness the current success of "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "American Hustle," films that celebrate (sort of) the art of the grift.

The New Yorker

"The Aces," about a well-heeled pair whose co-dependent loathsomeness is revealed carefully and subtly, sickens the reader bit by bit with their ever-increasing self-­justification — which culminates, perfectly, in the grift of a first-class airplane seat.

The New York Times - Books

The prix fixe rates range from $46 to $52 a person (with a more elaborate "chef's feast" improvised nightly for $69), which can seem generous if you choose a good one and a bit of a grift if not.

The New York Times - Food

He had a genius for junking and educated me in the grift.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Miss A and John are a grift-driven Mike Nichols and Elaine May, improvising the truth in ways that suit their shared, false spiritual awareness.

The New Yorker

It's the same marketing strategy, just with grifts rather than candidates.Where I think Messrs Podhoretz and Medved err and how this connects to Mr Hudgens is their assumption that if Republicans would just stop the infighting, they'd win.

The Economist

Our narrator graduates to the front, her empathy and natural grifting tendencies lending themselves to her new work.

Independent

Sinkler remembered the afternoon in Memphis when he'd stood by the river after grifting a clothing store of forty dollars in two months.

The New Yorker

But that can't be said about his breakout film, in which he plays a gay con artist lying and grifting his way into the lives of Donald Sutherland and Stockard Channing's upper-crust New Yorkers.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grift", ensure the context clearly indicates an act of deception or swindling, often involving money or other valuables. Using it correctly adds a layer of cynicism or knowingness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "grift" to describe simple mistakes or misunderstandings. The term implies intentional deceit and a scheme designed to exploit others for personal gain, so save it for situations where there's clear evidence of malicious intent.

Linguistic Context

The word "grift" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a confidence game or swindle. It can also function as a verb, meaning to obtain something illegally through deception. Ludwig's examples show its usage in describing various fraudulent schemes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Books

30%

Sports

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "grift" refers to a confidence game or swindle, also used as a verb meaning to obtain money illegally. According to Ludwig, the usage of "grift" is grammatically correct and common, primarily appearing in news, books and sports contexts. It carries a neutral register and serves to label and critique deceptive schemes. While synonyms like ""scam"" and ""swindle"" exist, "grift" uniquely encapsulates intentional exploitation for personal gain. Ludwig provides various examples illustrating the breadth of contexts in which "grift" is used, from political commentary to sports analysis, showcasing its versatility in describing fraudulent activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swindle

A general term for obtaining money or property by deceit.

con game

Refers specifically to a confidence game designed to deceive.

fraud

Implies a more serious and organized form of deception for financial gain.

scam

A deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of money or something else of value.

rip-off

Suggests overcharging or deceiving someone in a transaction.

hustle

Implies energetic or aggressive efforts to obtain something, often through questionable means.

deception

A broader term encompassing any act of misleading or deceiving.

trickery

The use of tricks to deceive someone.

racket

An illegal or dishonest scheme for obtaining money.

confidence trick

A specific type of fraud that exploits the victim's trust.

FAQs

How is "grift" used in a sentence?

The word "grift" can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it describes a swindle or con game. As a verb, it means to obtain something illegally, often money, through deception. For instance, "He ran a sophisticated "grift" targeting elderly investors" or "She "grifted" money from unsuspecting tourists."

What are some alternatives to the word "grift"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "scam", "swindle", "fraud", "hustle", or "con game" as alternatives to "grift". Each of these words carries a slightly different connotation, so choose the one that best fits the specific situation you're describing.

Is "grift" a formal or informal term?

The word "grift" is generally considered an informal term. It is more commonly used in casual conversation, journalistic writing, and fiction. In more formal or professional contexts, it is better to use alternatives like "fraud", "embezzlement", or "defalcation", which have a more serious and legalistic tone.

What's the difference between "grift" and "hustle"?

While both "grift" and "hustle" refer to ways of obtaining money, "grift" typically implies deception and dishonesty, while "hustle" can refer to energetic or aggressive efforts to gain something, not always illegal. A "grift" is a fraudulent scheme, whereas a "hustle" might simply involve hard work and clever negotiation.