play tricks; use deceptive ploys
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to play tricks; to use deceptive ploys; to hoodwink
dialectA dialectal phrase (originating from Wu Chinese/Shanghainese) used to describe someone employing clever, deceptive tactics to achieve their own ends or avoid responsibility. It often implies a level of cunning or sleight of hand.
Nǐ你
bié别
gēn跟
wǒ我
diào掉
qiāng枪
huā花
,
shuō说
lǎo老
shí实
huà话
。
Don't play tricks with me, tell the truth.
Zhè这
ge个
shāng商
rén人
zuì最
huì会
diào掉
qiāng枪
huā花
,
xiǎo小
xīn心
shàng上
dàng当
。
This merchant is the best at pulling tricks; be careful not to be fooled.
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Tā他
diào掉
le了
bàn半
tiān天
qiāng枪
huā花
,
zuì最
hòu后
hái还
shì是
bèi被
shí识
pò破
le了
。
He tried to hoodwink everyone for a long time, but was finally seen through.