mastermind
mastermind — noun
- mastermindsingular
- mastermindsplural
1. the person who secretly plans and controls a complicated action, often so it suc
the person who secretly plans and controls a complicated action, often so it succeeds.
Police called Ignacio the mastermind behind the airport gold theft.
pattern: the mastermind behind + crime
Folake was the mastermind of the online hoax that fooled donors.
pattern: the mastermind of + scheme
In the film, a quiet banker turns out to be the mastermind.
Reporters described Sirin as the mastermind of the rescue operation.
- ringleader
focuses more on leading a group openly, especially in trouble or crime
- planner
broader and more neutral; does not imply secret control or unusual skill
- architect
often used in news writing for the designer of a major plan or policy
文法句型
the mastermind behind + noun phrase
the mastermind of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Usually appears with behind or of before the plan, crime, or operation. It often suggests that the person controls events from the background rather than doing every part directly.
常見錯誤
mastermind — verb
- mastermindpresent simple I / you / we / they
- masterminds3rd person singular
- masterminding-ing form
- mastermindedpast simple
1. to organize and direct a complicated plan, often in secret, so it works successf
to organize and direct a complicated plan, often in secret, so it works successfully.
Anjali masterminded the museum robbery from a flat across town.
transitive: mastermind + robbery
Detectives said Hamza masterminded the phone scam targeting older neighbors.
often used in crime reports
Yael masterminded the prison escape with help from two guards.
Christopher masterminded the charity concert that saved the local library.
- orchestrate
similar in meaning, but often sounds broader and less secretive
- engineer
often stresses skillful planning that brings a result about
- coordinate
focuses on arranging people and parts, not necessarily designing the whole plan
文法句型
mastermind + plan / crime / operation
mastermind + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in reports about crimes, fraud, or political plots, but it can also describe any carefully directed project. The object is usually the whole plan or operation, not one small task inside it.