maneuver
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to move yourself or an object carefully into a specific place, often because the space is tight or the object is heavy.
v.to move something or oneself with skill and care, typically through a confined space or difficult terrain.
Simple“It was difficult to maneuver the large sofa through the narrow doorway.”
In context“The pilot had to maneuver the aircraft through a narrow mountain pass while dealing with unpredictable crosswinds.”
UsageOften used with a prepositional phrase of direction or location.
- 02 C1 Advanced
v.to use clever or dishonest ways to get what you want or to control a situation.
v.to use stratagems or schemes to influence a person or a situation toward a desired outcome.
Simple“He tried to maneuver himself into a better position within the company.”
In context“The diplomat successfully maneuvered the opposing parties toward a compromise that satisfied both national interests.”
UsageCan be used transitively with a person as the object or intransitively.
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a movement that needs skill or care, such as when driving a car or performing a physical task.
n.a physical movement or series of moves requiring skill and care, often involving a vehicle or tool.
Simple“Parking in such a small space required a very clever maneuver.”
In context“The gymnast performed a complex maneuver on the high bar that left the judges and the audience in awe.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.a clever or skillful action that is part of a plan to achieve something.
n.a strategic or tactical action designed to deceive an opponent or gain an advantage.
Simple“The lawyer's latest legal maneuver delayed the trial for another month.”
In context“The CEO's bold financial maneuver allowed the firm to avoid a hostile takeover during the economic downturn.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
n.a planned movement of soldiers or a specific physical action done by a doctor.
n.a large-scale tactical exercise by military forces or a specific, often named, physical procedure in clinical practice.
Simple“The doctor performed a quick maneuver to help the patient breathe again.”
In context“The army conducted a series of complex maneuvers near the border to demonstrate their readiness for any potential conflict.”
“Whether burrowing through soil or swimming through water, they’re forced to maneuver through narrow gaps in tiny pores, rocks, roots, plants or other obstacles.”
“One of the club’s top earners, his exit would have given Marseille more room to manoeuvre in the market.”
From Middle French manœuvre (“manipulation, maneuver”) and manouvrer (“to maneuver”), from Old French manovre (“handwork, manual labor”), from Medieval Latin manopera, manuopera (“work done by hand, handwork”), from manu (“by hand”) + operari (“to work”). First recorded in the Capitularies of Charlemagne (800 AD) to mean "chore, manual task", probably as a calque of the Frankish *handuwerk (“hand-work”). Compare Old English handweorc, Old English handġeweorc, German Handwerk. The verb is a doublet of the verb manure.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.