Outsmarting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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outsmarting
[aʊtˈsmɑːrtɪŋ ]
Definition
cleverness and strategy
Outsmarting refers to the act of using intelligence or cleverness to defeat or gain an advantage over someone. This often involves strategizing and thinking critically to outmaneuver others in a situation.
Synonyms
best, outfox, outmaneuver, outthink, outwit.
Examples of usage
- She outsmarted her opponents in the game.
- He managed to outsmart the competition with his innovative ideas.
- The detective was skilled at outsmarting criminals during investigations.
- They often outsmarted their rivals through careful planning.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Cognitive flexibility is a key aspect that allows individuals to outsmart others by thinking creatively and adapting to new situations.
- People often rely on social intelligence to engage in outsmarting, by reading social cues and predicting others' behaviors.
- Studies show that those with higher emotional intelligence are often more successful at outsmarting others in social interactions.
Pop Culture
- Movies like 'Catch Me If You Can' depict characters using outsmarting to escape capture, drawing on tactics of deception and cleverness.
- The character of Sherlock Holmes in literature and films is often celebrated for outsmarting criminals using keen observation and deduction.
- Video games like 'The Legend of Zelda' involve puzzles that require players to outsmart enemies and navigate challenges.
Literature
- In Aesop's fables, cunning characters often outsmart stronger opponents, teaching lessons about wit versus brute strength.
- In 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', the protagonist frequently outsmarts others by using clever plans to navigate tricky situations.
- Many classic fairy tales feature characters who outsmart villains, like Rumpelstiltskin who is outsmarted by the clever miller's daughter.
Education
- Teaching critical thinking skills fosters the ability to outsmart challenges, encouraging students to approach problems in innovative ways.
- Games that involve strategy and reasoning help children develop the skills to outsmart others while having fun.
- Collaborative learning environments promote outsmarting through peer interaction, enhancing problem-solving capabilities.
Origin of 'outsmarting'
Main points about word origin
- The term combines 'out', meaning 'beyond' or 'more than', and 'smart', which comes from Middle English 'smerte', meaning 'to hurt' or 'to be sharp'.
- The concept has roots in various languages, with similar terms appearing in languages like Dutch and German emphasizing cleverness.
- 'Outsmart' appeared in English writings around the mid-19th century, gaining popularity in literature.
The term 'outsmart' is a combination of the prefix 'out-' meaning 'beyond' or 'to a greater degree than,' and 'smart,' which originates from the Old English 'smerte,' meaning 'to be sharp, quick, or intelligent.' The usage of 'outsmart' emerged in the late 19th century as a colloquial expression, emphasizing the idea of surpassing someone in intelligence or wits. Over time, it has been used in various contexts, from casual conversations to literature and politics, highlighting the tactics of cleverness used in competition or conflict.