play tricks; use deceitful tactics
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesverb
to show off petty cleverness; to play with tricks or techniques
Implies demonstrating one's intelligence or skills in a superficial or showy manner. The word can take the erhua suffix (耍花招儿) in casual speech.
He doesn't have any real skills; he just loves to show off his tricks in front of everyone.
This machine is very simple to operate; it doesn't require any special tricks.
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The magician was performing tricks on stage, and the audience watched with rapt attention.
verb
to employ deceitful tactics or schemes; to resort to trickery
derogatoryCarries a strongly negative connotation, implying the use of dishonest or underhanded methods to achieve an objective.
Don't play tricks in front of me; I've seen through your schemes long ago.
Some merchants use deceptive tricks to cheat consumers during promotions.
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During the negotiations, the other party tried to play tricks, but we saw through them.
He is accustomed to using underhanded tactics to eliminate dissenters in political struggles.