trick around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trick around" is not correct in written English and is rarely used.
Instead, you might use phrases such as "mess around," "fool around," or "play around" to convey the same meaning. For example, "He liked to mess around with his friends after school."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Last, a word to those with central air or central heat: try the incense trick around the seams of the ductwork.

The New York Times

They'll predict that I'll repeat the trick around the world, to squeeze cash from my dwindling core of pathologically enthusiastic fans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If I can take that trick around with me everywhere, I'll be all right," Dernbach said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Younger, who had played for Robinson at Grambling High School in the war years, began his college career as a tackle, often scoring on trick end-around plays, then switched to running back.

The New York Times - Sports

"He expresses himself through eating, so the boys have learned some magic tricks around eating.

The Guardian

He began learning rope tricks around 3 and performing with his brother Bill, who was called Smokie.

The New York Times

But after years of catching bullets, palming cards and chopping off hands they know most of the tricks around.

The Guardian

Microbes exposed to antibiotics evolve dozens of biochemical tricks to inactivate or evade them, and then can pass the tricks around on fragments of DNA.

The New York Times - Health

As the 'Jewess Tattooess', Carnesky, 36, covered her body in tattoos and chopped her male magician's assistant into pieces, exploring the history of illusions in warfare, and framing traditional magic-show tricks around questions to do with violence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Full-time: It's all over, it ended with Brazil performing party tricks around Ghana's box, but that didn't reflect the previous 85 minutes, in which Ghana gave as good as they got - except when it came to finishing: Ghana were wasteful, Brazil ruthless.

The Guardian - Sport

First of all, it's true that some have called out HTC for doing some tricks around benchmarking tests.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "trick around" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct and widely accepted alternatives such as "mess around with" or "play around with", depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Don't assume "trick around" is interchangeable with phrases like "find a workaround" or "devising a clever solution". "Trick around" often lacks the precision and clarity required in professional communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trick around" primarily functions as an informal verb phrase. However, it's considered non-standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, more accepted alternatives should be used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "trick around" might appear in some informal contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using more standard alternatives like "mess around with" or "play around with" for casual situations, or more precise terms like "circumvent" or "evade" when more formal language is required. Due to its grammatical ambiguity and lack of widespread acceptance, avoiding "trick around" is generally recommended in professional and academic writing. The existing examples, though limited, primarily come from news sources and wikis, emphasizing the informal nature of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fool around with

This alternative suggests playful or mischievous behavior, rather than a deliberate attempt to deceive.

mess around with

Similar to 'fool around', this indicates casual or unskilled handling, lacking the intentionality implied in 'trick'.

play around with

This suggests experimentation or casual interaction, rather than an attempt at deception.

circumvent

Focuses on avoiding obstacles or rules, often cleverly, but without direct deception.

bypass

Implies avoiding something directly, often a rule or system, for efficiency or convenience.

evade

Highlights the act of escaping or avoiding something, often with skill or cunning.

outmaneuver

Emphasizes strategic positioning and skillful maneuvering to gain an advantage.

outsmart

Focuses on intellectual superiority and cleverness to gain an advantage over someone.

deceive

Directly implies misleading someone, often for personal gain.

manipulate

Implies skillfully controlling or influencing someone or something, often deviously.

FAQs

What does "trick around" mean?

The phrase "trick around" isn't standard English. It's sometimes used informally to mean "mess around", "fool around", or "play around", but these alternatives are generally preferred.

How to avoid using "trick around" in formal writing?

In formal writing, replace "trick around" with more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "circumvent", "bypass", or "evade" depending on the intended meaning.

Which is correct, "trick around" or "mess around"?

"Mess around" is generally considered more acceptable in informal contexts. "Trick around" is not standard English and should be avoided in formal writing.

What are some synonyms for "mess around"?

Synonyms for "mess around" include "fool around with", "play around with", "fiddle with", and "tamper with", depending on the context.