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Hoi polloi
Nearby Words
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ploy
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Synonyms
contrivance
subterfuge
stratagem
artifice
maneuver
device
gambit
MORE
ploy
[
ploi
]
Example Sentences
Origin
ploy
/
plɔɪ
/
Show Spelled
[
ploi
]
Show IPA
noun
1.
a maneuver or stratagem, as in conversation, to gain the advantage.
verb (used with object)
2.
Military
Archaic
.
to move (troops) from a
line
into a column.
Compare
deploy
.
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Ploy
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is
absquatulate
. Does it mean:
So is
bowdlerise
. Does it mean:
So is
fletcherise
. Does it mean:
to flee; abscond:
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
to bark; yelp.
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
to run away hurriedly; flee.
LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
verb (used without object)
3.
Military
Archaic
.
to move from a line into a column.
Origin:
1475–85;
earlier
ploye
to bend <
Middle French
ployer
(
French
plier
) <
Latin
plicāre
to fold,
ply
2
;
see
deploy
Related forms
coun·ter·ploy,
noun
Synonyms
1.
tactic, ruse, subterfuge, wile, gambit.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
|
Link To
ploy
Example Sentences
But occasionally this
ploy
is appropriate and effective.
Corporate social responsibility today though is a mere marketing
ploy
to play to the consumer.
The
ploy
worked to draw out four eastern screech owls and nine barred owls.
EXPAND
But occasionally this
ploy
is appropriate and effective.
Corporate social responsibility today though is a mere marketing
ploy
to play to the consumer.
The
ploy
worked to draw out four eastern screech owls and nine barred owls.
It could be probably a
ploy
to attract the attention of the public.
The fragile legs detach easily, probably as an escape
ploy
against attackers.
One theory among bankers is that the recent spate of layoffs may be a
ploy
to hold down demands for bonuses.
Though a prevalent
ploy
in nature, the fake-eye look isn't foolproof.
Apparently the industry has decided to deal with the issue using the name-game
ploy
.
Some see its release as a
ploy
to put an end to court cases against former military officers.
Revealing a hidden fact late in a campaign is a common
ploy
to damage an opponent beyond recovery before an election.
Her opponents considered it a
ploy
to deflect criticism of her administration.
Cycling teams have been running this
ploy
for some time to no effect.
But some reckon that this is a
ploy
to put pressure on all parties to conclude a deal speedily.
Some people thought that the low level of voter registration was a
ploy
to discourage participation.
It is easy to see why this is such an appealing
ploy
.
Many university lecturers plump for a variant of the teachers' private-lesson
ploy
.
In truth it is a shrewd, if shameless,
ploy
by a power couple who know that the value of their brand is tanking.
It's hard to see his stance as anything other than a cynical political
ploy
.
But don't get caught up in the megapixel race-a marketing
ploy
if ever there was one.
But challenging pre-game rhetoric was a
ploy
that had seemed unnecessary.
Blackbeard develops a
ploy
to capture other vessels without the official accusation of piracy.
And it might be the
ploy
that saves the toy industry.
His critics say his plan is a politician's
ploy
of offering something for nothing.
But some saw in this a
ploy
to put pressure on all parties to reach some sort of agreement.
The
ploy
of skimming avoids taxes on the gambling winnings.
Humanitarian intervention is not an imperialist
ploy
.
His contribution to the
ploy
is turning that threat against himself.
Rather it seems a
ploy
to divert attention from his mounting difficulties at home.
Exploiting their misery was a theatrical
ploy
beyond decency.
Such economic populism may merely be a
ploy
to win over an electorate that has long been averse to the market.
The
ploy
succeeded, because none of the accountants appreciated its significance until it was too late.
China's alternative
ploy
is to promote the yuan's use in international trade and finance.
If they decide they have nothing to lose, this
ploy
could now turn out to be a weakness.
Its either that or some middle road
ploy
to a an effective dictatorship eg.
Whatever the story, religions all follow the same basic marketing
ploy
.
And flag pins are a cheap little
ploy
by people who are actually screwing you the voter over.
It is, in fact, the sort of obvious
ploy
that any cognizant adult would expect and will be watching for.
Certainly seem to have have copied the show-trial
ploy
to stifle the opposition.
The
ploy
is more posturing on an issue that has already seen too much grandstanding.
COLLAPSE
Collins
World English Dictionary
ploy
(plɔɪ)
—
n
1.
a manoeuvre or tactic in a game, conversation, etc; stratagem; gambit
2.
any business, job, hobby, etc, with which one is occupied:
angling is his latest ploy
3.
chiefly
(
Brit
) a frolic, escapade, or practical joke
[C18: originally Scot and northern English, perhaps from obsolete n sense of
employ
meaning an occupation]
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
ploy
1722, "anything with which one amuses oneself," Scottish and northern England dialect, possibly a shortened form of employ or deploy. Popularized in the sense "move or gambit made to gain advantage" by British humorist Stephen Potter (1900-1969).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
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"Seducing one's neighbor to a good opinion and then afterwards believing devoutly in this neighbor's opinion—who can match women in this clever
ploy
?"
-Friedrich Nietzsche
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