maneuver
muh-NOO-ver
/məˈnuː.vər/
A movement or series of moves requiring skill and care; to move skillfully or carefully.
Maneuver implies a level of difficulty or a need for deception to succeed.
The story behind the word. Borrowed from the French 'manœuvre', this term literally means 'hand-work'. It started in the military to describe the skillful movement of troops and later spread to any clever or calculated action.
Word relationships
- movement: Movement is any change in position; maneuver is a skillful or planned movement.
- stagnation: Stagnation is a lack of movement or progress.
Commonly confused with
- execution: Maneuver is the movement itself; execution is the act of carrying out the whole plan.
Word family
- maneuverability (noun): The quality of being easy to maneuver.
- maneuvering (verb): The act of moving skillfully.
Collocations
- tactical maneuver
- flanking maneuver
- maneuver into position
Example sentences
- "The driver's quick maneuver prevented a serious accident on the highway." Driving
- "The quarterback made a brilliant maneuver to avoid the sack and throw a touchdown." Sports action
Memory hook
A 'Maneuver' is 'Manual' work done with 'Ever'lasting skill. Skilled hand-work.
When not to use
Don't use it for a simple, straight-line walk; it needs to be a 'skillful' move.
Fun facts
- In British English, the word is spelled 'manoeuvre', retaining more of its French heritage.
Also appears in
- Military Science & Warfare → Military Strategy & Tactics
- Military Science & Warfare → Warfare & Combat Operations
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Winter & Ice Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Team Ball Sports
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Motor & Racing Sports
- Everyday Transportation & Driving → Driving Maneuvers & Parking
- Skilled Trades & Construction → Heavy Machinery & Earthmoving
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