tricky
difficult and needing care or skill
Difficult to do or handle and needs care or skill.
a tricky [task/problem/situation]; [something] is tricky
- Parking in the city center can be tricky at this time of day.
- The recipe looks simple, but getting the sauce right is quite tricky.
- It’s a tricky problem, so take your time before you answer.
- This part of the exam is especially tricky for most students.
- Installing the software is a bit tricky if you’ve never done it before.
- The last question on the test was very tricky.
- Driving in heavy rain can be tricky for new drivers.
- This game is tricky, but it is also fun.
- It is tricky to change the tire without help.
- The tricky part is remembering all the steps.
delicate or sensitive to handle
Difficult to talk about or manage because it is sensitive and can easily cause problems.
a tricky [issue/subject/topic/situation]
- Money can be a tricky subject to discuss with friends.
- It’s a tricky issue, because both sides have strong feelings.
- He’s in a tricky position, trying to keep both his boss and his team happy.
- Negotiations are always tricky when trust is low.
- That’s a tricky topic for a first meeting, so maybe we should avoid it.
- Politics is a tricky subject at family dinners.
- Talking about salary with coworkers can be tricky.
- It is a tricky situation, because no one wants to say the wrong thing.
- The teacher handled the tricky question very carefully.
- Their relationship is tricky after the argument.
clever but dishonest or deceptive
Clever in a bad way and likely to cheat or fool people.
a tricky [person/customer/salesman/opponent]
- Be careful with that contractor; he has a reputation for being tricky.
- She’s a tricky opponent in negotiations and always tries to get more than she offers.
- Watch out for tricky salespeople who push you to sign quickly.
- He can be a bit tricky when it comes to splitting the bill.
- That company is known for using tricky wording in their contracts.
- The man seemed friendly, but he was actually very tricky.
- Some tricky people try to sell you fake products online.
- He is a tricky player and often breaks the rules.
- Be careful; the offer sounds good, but it might be from a tricky company.
- I do not trust him. He looks tricky to me.
skillful and hard to handle (sport)
Very skillful and hard to stop or control, especially in sports.
a tricky [player/winger/move]
- He’s a tricky winger who loves to take on defenders.
- Their most dangerous player is a small, tricky forward with quick feet.
- She’s very tricky on the ball and can get past two or three players easily.
- The new striker is fast and tricky.
- He used a tricky move to score the goal.
- She is a tricky player and hard to stop.
- The defender could not follow his tricky footwork.
- Fans love watching tricky players on the field.
- Base: tricky
- Comparative: trickier
- Superlative: trickiest
a bit tricky
1somewhat difficult or awkward
Used to say that something is a little difficult or awkward, but not impossible.
- Getting tickets at this late stage might be a bit tricky.
- The first few weeks in a new job can be a bit tricky.
tricky business
1complicated or risky matter
An activity or situation that is complicated or risky and easy to do wrong.
- Raising teenagers can be a tricky business.
- Starting your own company is a tricky business if you have no experience.
tricky customer
1a person who is hard to deal with
A person who is difficult to deal with, for example because they complain a lot or are not easy to please.
- He’s a tricky customer, so be very clear about the rules.
- The manager came over to help with a tricky customer at the desk.
tricky part
1the most difficult part
The part of a task or situation that is the hardest and needs the most care.
- The tricky part is keeping the mixture at the right temperature.
- For many learners, pronunciation is the tricky part of English.
tricky question
1a question that is hard to answer
A question that is hard to answer, often because it needs careful thought or special knowledge.
- That’s a tricky question; I’ll need to think about it.
- Interviewers like to ask tricky questions to see how you react.
tricky situation
1a situation that is hard to handle
A situation that is difficult and needs care so you do not make a mistake.
- Losing your passport abroad is a really tricky situation.
- She managed a very tricky situation at work without upsetting anyone.