Outfox: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in informal or casual situations to describe someone who uses cleverness or cunning to defeat or outthink another.

• She managed to outfox the competition with her innovative approach.
• The thief outfoxed the security personnel and escaped without a trace.

Generally used in everyday conversation to indicate that someone has used intelligence or quick thinking to overcome another.

• She tried to cheat on the test, but the teacher outsmarted her by changing the questions.
• He outsmarted his older brother in the game by learning all the tricks.

Often used in both formal and informal contexts to describe the use of superior intellect or cunning to get the better of someone.

• He managed to outwit his rival in the business negotiation.
• The detective had to outwit the criminal to solve the case.

Often used in competitive or tactical scenarios, especially when describing physical or strategic movements.

• During the chess match, he outmaneuvered his opponent with a series of clever moves.
• The troops were able to outmaneuver the enemy and gain a strategic advantage.

This word is best used when describing a situation where someone outsmarts another person, often in a clever or sneaky way.

• She managed to outfox her competitors by coming up with a new strategy.
• The detective was outfoxed by the criminal's clever disguise.

This phrase is used to characterize someone who is very clever and tricky, often in the context of deceit or manipulation. It has a slightly negative connotation.

• The cunning fox managed to steal the farmer's chickens without being caught.
• In the story, the cunning fox tricked the other animals to get what it wanted.

This phrase describes someone who is sneaky and deceptively clever. It is usually used in a context where someone's intelligence is used to trick others. Like 'cunning fox', it also carries a negative connotation.

• He's a sly fox, always finding ways to bend the rules without getting in trouble.
• The sly fox crafted an elaborate plan to cheat his way to the top.