finesse
/fɪˈnes/ (bre, ipa) · /fɪˈnes/ (ame, ipa) · /fə-ˈnes/ (ame, mw)
finesse — noun
1. the elegant ability to do something difficult with smooth control, careful judge
the elegant ability to do something difficult with smooth control, careful judgement, or a light touch, so that the result looks easy.
Gabriel handled the tense meeting with the kind of finesse you rarely see in junior managers.
with + finesse, abstract object of 'handle'
The young pianist played the difficult Chopin piece with surprising finesse for a thirteen-year-old.
with + finesse + for + comparison
At the UN summit, Quan needed real finesse when speaking to two angry rival leaders.
Lotte's painting shows great finesse in the way she captures light on water.
There was no finesse in the way the new chef chopped the onions.
- clumsiness
lack of physical control
- crudeness
lack of subtlety, especially with people
文法句型
finesse + in + noun
with + finesse
用法筆記
Most often follows the prepositions 'with' or 'in'. Subject of admiration is usually a complex task involving people, art, sport, or craft — not simple physical strength.
常見錯誤
finesse — verb
- finessepresent simple I / you / we / they
- finesses3rd person singular
- finessing-ing form
- finessedpast simple
1. to manage a tricky problem, person, or situation by clever and indirect moves —
to manage a tricky problem, person, or situation by clever and indirect moves — sometimes hinting at light dishonesty — to get the outcome you want.
Ayesha finessed the seating plan so that her two arguing cousins never sat together.
finesse + concrete problem (seating plan)
In court, Nellie finessed the awkward question by answering a slightly different one.
finesse + an awkward question; named subject in courtroom
Joaquín somehow finessed his way into the private after-party without an invitation.
Investors expect the new CEO, Darius, to finesse the merger talks without upsetting either board.
The minister tried to finesse the scandal by releasing good economic news that morning.
文法句型
finesse + noun
finesse + one's + way + into/through
用法筆記
Object is usually a tricky situation, question, deal, or negotiation — not a physical object. Often carries a hint of light deceit or stage-management, distinguishing it from a plain 'handle' or 'manage'.
常見錯誤
2. to keep adjusting small details of something already finished, like a recipe or
to keep adjusting small details of something already finished, like a recipe or design, until it reaches the very best version it can be.
Christopher spent the whole weekend finessing his speech for Monday's wedding.
finesse + small unit (speech) before deadline
The chef kept finessing the sauce until the balance of salt and lemon was perfect.
finesse + a recipe; iterative tweaking
Obi finessed the logo by shifting each letter only a hair to the right.
Anya's team spent another week finessing the app's checkout flow before launch day.
Élise wanted to finesse her photo essay one last time before sending it in.
- rough out
make a quick early version, the opposite stage of work
文法句型
finesse + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this is about polishing your OWN creative work, not handling other people or situations. Object is usually a recipe, design, draft, plan, or product — something with adjustable small parts.