Every trick in the book

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Meaning

Using all known tactics or ploys, pulling every move.

Origin

From 19th-century Britain, tied to conjurers; 'tricks' in a book meant mastery, slang by 1880s for all. An 1889 'Pall Mall Gazette' uses it for a rogue's ploys.

Variants

  • Every trick

Usage Examples

  • He tried every trick in the book to win.
  • She used every trick in the book to fix it.
  • Every trick in the book; still lost!

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