ploy
gb/plˈɔɪ/ us/plˈɔɪ/
C1
English
trükk, húzás
NOUN
C1
1
Usage pattern:
a ploy to [do something]
The company’s sudden price cut was a ploy to push competitors out of the market.
A cég hirtelen árcsökkentése csak egy húzás volt, hogy kiszorítsa a versenytársakat a piacról.
Calling an emergency meeting was a ploy to delay the vote.
A rendkívüli értekezlet összehívása csak egy trükk volt, hogy elhalasszák a szavazást.
She saw through his ploy and refused to change her mind.
Learner examples
It was a ploy to get my attention.
Ez csak egy trükk volt, hogy felkeltse a figyelmemet.
I didn’t believe his ploy.
Nem dőltem be a trükkjének.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse ploy with plow (a farming tool/verb).
Meaning
a clever tactic or trick
Collocations
a clever ploy
|a cynical ploy
|a transparent ploy
|a deliberate ploy
|a calculated ploy
|a risky ploy
|a negotiating ploy
|a legal ploy
|see through a ploy
|use a ploy to delay
Synonyms
tactic (More neutral; can be honest or dishonest.)
|
ruse (Stronger sense of deception.)
|
stratagem (More formal and strategic-sounding.)
|
gimmick (Often about attracting attention, especially in marketing.)
|
maneuver (Highlights skillful positioning or manipulation.)
Antonyms
straightforwardness (Open, direct behavior rather than a trick.)
|
candor (Honest, direct communication instead of manipulation.)
Themes
communication
|business
|politics
|strategy
Definition
a clever trick or plan to get what you want
A clever plan, tactic, or trick used to gain an advantage, often by influencing what other people think or do.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ploy
IPA
GB/plˈɔɪ/
US/plˈɔɪ/
Syllables & stress
ploy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (ploy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ploy
- Plural: ploys
Word family
Expressions
marketing ploy
1/mˈɑɹkɪtɪŋ plˈɔɪ/
fixed phrase
business
a trick to sell more
a sales trick used in marketing
Examples
- The “limited time only” banner is a common marketing ploy.
- Some customers saw the rebrand as a marketing ploy rather than a real change.
- Free trials can be a marketing ploy to lock people into subscriptions.
Learner examples
- That discount felt like a marketing ploy.
- It was a marketing ploy to sell more.
political ploy
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl plˈɔɪ/
fixed phrase
a tactic to gain votes
a political trick to gain advantage
Examples
- Opponents called the proposal a political ploy before the election.
- The sudden visit was seen as a political ploy to win over undecided voters.
- She denied that the timing was a political ploy.
Learner examples
- They said it was a political ploy.
- It looked like a political ploy to get votes.
publicity ploy
1/pəblˈɪsɪti plˈɔɪ/
fixed phrase
a trick to get attention
a trick to get public attention
Examples
- The apology video was dismissed as a publicity ploy.
- Critics said the announcement was just a publicity ploy to distract from the scandal.
- They staged the event as a publicity ploy ahead of the product launch.
Learner examples
- People said it was a publicity ploy.
- The stunt was a publicity ploy to get attention.
sales ploy
1/sˈeɪlz plˈɔɪ/
fixed phrase
a trick to make you buy
a trick a seller uses to sell something
Examples
- The cashier’s offer of an extended warranty felt like a sales ploy.
- Customers complained that the fee was a sales ploy to increase profits.
- He recognized the “today only” claim as a sales ploy.
Learner examples
- That was a sales ploy.
- I think it’s a sales ploy to make us pay more.