manoeuvre
/məˈnuːvə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /məˈnuːvər/ (ame, ipa) · /məˈnuː.vər/ (bre, ipa) · /məˈnuː.vɚ/ (ame, ipa)
manoeuvre — noun
- manoeuvresingular
- manoeuvresplural
1. a physical action, often complex, that you carry out carefully because it requir
a physical action, often complex, that you carry out carefully because it requires control and dexterity, such as steering a vehicle into a tight space or turning the body during a gymnastic routine.
Parking a long van on Dahlia's narrow street takes a tricky three-point manoeuvre.
collocation: tricky/difficult manoeuvre
Gabriel performed a perfect somersault manoeuvre during the gymnastics final in Tokyo.
collocation: perform a manoeuvre
The pilot completed a sharp banking manoeuvre to avoid the approaching storm cloud.
Mayumi practised the new wheelchair manoeuvre until she could turn smoothly in the doorway.
One wrong manoeuvre on the icy mountain road and the truck would have slid off the edge.
文法句型
a manoeuvre to + verb
perform/execute a manoeuvre
用法筆記
Subject is usually a vehicle, body, or limb. Frequently paired with verbs of execution: 'perform', 'execute', 'attempt', 'complete'.
常見錯誤
2. a planned exercise in which soldiers, ships, or aircraft practise fighting and m
a planned exercise in which soldiers, ships, or aircraft practise fighting and movement together, either as training during peacetime or as part of real combat.
The army held its annual winter manoeuvres in the hills outside Helsinki last month.
collocation: winter/joint manoeuvres
Daniel spent six weeks on manoeuvres with his unit in the desert.
collocation: on manoeuvres
Joint naval manoeuvres between the two countries began at dawn near the southern coast.
The general ordered a swift flanking manoeuvre to surround the enemy camp before nightfall.
文法句型
on manoeuvres
joint manoeuvres
用法筆記
Almost always plural ('manoeuvres') when referring to training, but singular when referring to a specific tactical movement in battle. Distinguish from sense 1 (any skilled movement) by the military context.
3. a clever and often hidden step that someone takes in business, politics, or a pe
a clever and often hidden step that someone takes in business, politics, or a personal dispute so that they end up in a stronger position than the other side.
Heloísa exposed her rival's manoeuvre to claim credit for the new product before the launch.
collocation: expose/uncover a manoeuvre
The minister's late-night manoeuvre split the opposition party right before the vote.
collocation: political manoeuvre
Buying the small bakery was a clever manoeuvre to keep the supermarket out of that neighbourhood.
Lawyers for the family used a procedural manoeuvre to delay the court hearing by six months.
Tariro saw through the salesman's pricing manoeuvre and refused to sign the contract.
文法句型
a manoeuvre to + verb
political/legal/tactical manoeuvre
用法筆記
Often carries a slightly negative tone — the action is calculated and may be hidden from the people it affects. Common adjectives: 'political', 'tactical', 'shrewd', 'cunning', 'procedural'.
常見錯誤
manoeuvre — verb
- manoeuvrepresent simple I / you / we / they
- manoeuvres3rd person singular
- manoeuvring-ing form
- manoeuvredpast simple
1. to move something large or hard to control — a car, a heavy item of furniture, a
to move something large or hard to control — a car, a heavy item of furniture, a boat — into the position you want, working slowly because of limited space or weight.
Gita manoeuvred the old piano through the narrow doorway without scratching the frame.
pattern: manoeuvre + object + through + place
Christopher slowly manoeuvred the truck backwards into the loading bay.
pattern: manoeuvre + object + into + place
The captain manoeuvred the ferry around the floating logs in the harbour.
Hana had to manoeuvre carefully to fit her wheelchair between the café tables.
The driver manoeuvred the bus out of the muddy field after the festival ended.
文法句型
manoeuvre + [object] + into/out of/through/around
manoeuvre into a space
用法筆記
Object is usually a large vehicle, vessel, or heavy item. Almost always followed by a direction phrase ('into', 'out of', 'around', 'through'). Distinguish from sense 2 (manipulating people) — sense 1 is physical.
常見錯誤
2. to skilfully push or guide a person, often without them noticing, until they agr
to skilfully push or guide a person, often without them noticing, until they agree to do something or end up in the situation you wanted for them.
Élise manoeuvred her brother into apologising to their grandmother at the family dinner.
pattern: manoeuvre + person + into + -ing
The board manoeuvred Ziad into resigning before the press could ask any questions.
pattern: manoeuvre + person + into + -ing
Luca felt his uncle had manoeuvred him into taking over the family bakery.
Otis quietly manoeuvred his colleagues into supporting the new schedule before Monday's meeting.
- manipulate
stronger and more openly negative; suggests dishonesty
- steer
gentler; manoeuvre implies more cunning than steer
文法句型
manoeuvre + [someone] + into + [doing something]
manoeuvre someone into a position
用法筆記
Almost always 'manoeuvre someone into + [-ing verb]' or 'into + [position]'. Object is a person. Carries the same negative undertone as noun sense 3 — the action is calculated and the target often does not realise.