manoeuvre

Pluralmanoeuvres

Formsmanoeuvres, manoeuvring, manoeuvred

1. 1
   driving or flyingnouncountable

   A controlled move made while steering a vehicle, often one that needs skill.

   Reverse parking is the manoeuvre most learner drivers find hardest.

   The pilot made a sharp manoeuvre to avoid the storm.

   UsageWe make or carry out a manoeuvre.

2. 2
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To move something, or yourself, carefully into a place, often with some difficulty.

   We had to manoeuvre the big sofa through the front door.

   The bus driver manoeuvred slowly around the parked cars.

   UsageUsually followed by a place word: through the door, into a space.

   Similarmove, ease, edge, navigate

3. 3
   sly movenouncountable

   A clever or sly action, planned to get what you want.

   Calling an early election was a clever manoeuvre by the prime minister.

   His kind words were just a manoeuvre to borrow money again.

   UsageOften a clever manoeuvre, or a manoeuvre to get something.

   Similarploy, tactic, move, ruse, stratagem

   Note
4. 4
   militarynouncountable

   A planned move of soldiers or military vehicles, or a big military training exercise.

   The army made a quick manoeuvre to get behind the enemy lines.

   The soldiers are away on manoeuvres in Wales for two weeks.

   UsageFor army training we say on manoeuvres: the soldiers are away on manoeuvres.

   Similarmovement, exercise, operation

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable

   A movement of the body or of a tool, often one done with skill.

   The gymnast finished with a difficult manoeuvre on the bars.

   With one neat manoeuvre, Dad flipped the pancake in the pan.

   Similarmovement, motion

   Note
6. 6
   verbfigurativelytransitive or intransitive

   To act cleverly, sometimes in a sly way, to make things happen the way you want.

   Politicians always manoeuvre for power before an election.

   He spent years manoeuvring behind the scenes to become party leader.

   UsageOften manoeuvre for power, or manoeuvre someone into doing something.

   Similarjockey, scheme, steer

7. 7
   medicalnouncountable

   A particular movement or physical technique used to examine or treat someone, often named after a person.

   The doctor moved my head in a special manoeuvre to stop the dizziness.

   The midwife used a careful manoeuvre to free the baby's shoulder.

   UsageDoctors perform a manoeuvre.

   Similarprocedure

   Note

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