- manoeuvre
- {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} (BrE) (AmE maneuver) noun1 movement performed with care and skillADJECTIVE▪ complex, complicated▪ difficult▪ dangerous▪ clever▪ defensive, offensive▪ evasive▪ aerial… OF MANOEUVRES/MANEUVERS▪ seriesVERB + MANOEUVRE/MANEUVER▪ carry out, do, execute, make, perform▪
The pilot has to carry out a series of complex manoeuvres.
▪ attempt, try▪ practise/practice▪ complete2 clever planADJECTIVE▪ brilliant▪ strategic, tactical▪Her withdrawal from the contest was a tactical manoeuvre.
▪ diplomatic, legal, politicalVERB + MANOEUVRE/MANEUVER▪ use▪He used cutting-edge manoeuvres to outsmart other bidders.
▪ carry out, execute▪ pull (informal)MANOEUVRE/MANEUVER + VERB▪ failPREPOSITION▪ by a/the manoeuvre▪By this manoeuvre, he hopes to gain an advantage at a later stage.
PHRASES▪ freedom of manoeuvre▪The economic conditions are restricting he bank's freedom of manoeuvre.
▪ room for manoeuvre▪The government has very little room for manoeuvre on this issue.
3 military operationADJECTIVE▪ military, strategic, tactical▪ operational▪ combat▪ defensive, offensiveVERB + MANOEUVRE/MANEUVER▪ carry out, conduct, execute, performMANOEUVRE/MANEUVER + NOUN▪ battalion, brigade, force, unit▪ operation▪ commanderPHRASES▪ be on manoeuvres, go on manoeuvres▪{{Roman}}II.{{/Roman}}The unit is on manoeuvres in southern Italy.
(BrE) (AmE maneuver) verbADVERB▪ carefully▪ quickly▪ easily▪ deftly, expertly, skilfully/skillfullyVERB + MANOEUVRE/MANEUVER▪ be difficult to, be easy toPREPOSITION▪ around, past, through, etc.▪He carefully manoeuvred the boat past the rocks.
PHRASES▪ manoeuvre (sth) into position▪ manoeuvre your way (figurative)▪He had manoeuvred his way into a position of strength in the party.
▪ room to manoeuvre▪The ship had little room to manoeuvre.
Collocations dictionary. 2013.
