outsmart them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outsmart them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of being more clever or strategic than someone else, often in a competitive context. Example: "In the game of chess, the key to victory is to outsmart them with your strategic moves."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Do not EVER try to escape them in ANY way, instead try to outsmart them(But high ranked soldiers and commanders can be VERY smart so it is very hard).

WikiHow

If you try to outsmart them, they will outsmart us.

The New Yorker

He could not outsmart them was the problem.

The New Yorker

"I gave up on trying to outsmart them," said Kunnuk.

The Guardian

We can outsmart them.' And when she's not on stage?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lucky for the Giants, Bradshaw didn't let Coughlin outsmart them right back.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"I outwitted, outlasted and outsmarted them all," Ms. Behar joked.

The New York Times

Aside from outplaying the Patriots, they outsmarted them.

The New York Times - Sports

They came looking for trouble with the bailiffs, and the cops outsmarted them.

The Guardian

"But, after a while, the cancer outsmarts them, having been selected over a long time to be very aggressive".

The New Yorker

But from that point on, the Clippers outhustled the weary Knicks and even outsmarted them down the stretch.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outsmart them" when you want to emphasize the use of intelligence and clever strategies to gain an advantage over others. This phrase implies a cognitive edge rather than brute force.

Common error

Don't use "outsmart them" when physical strength or dominance is the primary factor. This phrase is about intellectual superiority, not physical prowess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outsmart them" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of surpassing others through intelligence and strategic thinking. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its application in various contexts, from games to real-life scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outsmart them" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe surpassing others through intelligence and strategic thinking. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples of its usage across diverse contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to use it appropriately, recognizing that it applies to situations where intellectual superiority is key, rather than physical force. According to Ludwig, alternatives such as "outwit them" or "outmaneuver them" can offer more formal or nuanced ways to express a similar idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outwit them

Focuses on deceiving someone through cunning or trickery, similar to outsmarting but with a stronger emphasis on deception.

outmaneuver them

Emphasizes strategic positioning and tactical movement to gain an advantage, applicable in competitive scenarios.

outthink them

Highlights the intellectual aspect of surpassing others by thinking more strategically or creatively.

get the better of them

Implies gaining an advantage over someone, often through skill or cleverness.

outfox them

Uses the metaphor of a fox to suggest cleverness and trickery in overcoming someone.

defeat them with strategy

Highlights that strategy is the instrument for winning.

trick them

A more basic way to say that a victory was obtained using deception.

fool them

Focuses on deceiving someone into believing something that is not true.

circumvent them

Highlights the action of going around or avoiding an obstacle.

evade them

Focuses on avoiding someone or something, typically to escape or elude.

FAQs

How can I use "outsmart them" in a sentence?

You can use "outsmart them" to describe a situation where someone uses clever strategies or intelligence to gain an advantage over others. For example, "The key to winning this game is to find a way to "outsmart them"".

What's a more formal way to say "outsmart them"?

In more formal contexts, you might consider using phrases like "outwit them" or "outmaneuver them". These alternatives maintain the sense of gaining an advantage but sound more professional.

Is there a difference between "outsmart them" and "trick them"?

"Outsmart them" implies using intelligence and strategy to gain an advantage, while "trick them" suggests using deception or deceit. The former is more about cleverness, while the latter is about misleading.

What are some other alternatives to "outsmart them" that emphasize strategic thinking?

Alternatives like "outthink them" or "get the better of them" are good choices when you want to emphasize the strategic element of gaining an advantage over someone.