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Interactions - Abuse & Manipulation

Discover how English idioms like "load the dice" and "fall into a trap" relate to abuse and manipulation in English.

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English idioms related to Interactions
to [feather] {one's} (own|) nest

to take advantage of a position to make oneself rich, particularly by using unfair or dishonest methods

Ex: Public service should not be a chance to feather your own nest.
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to [hold] (a|the) candle to the Devil

to be comparable to someone who is very evil

Ex: His crimes were so cold that people said he could hold a candle to the Devil.
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to [pull] (some|) strings

to gain advantage over others by making use of one's contacts and influence in an unfair way

Ex: People were angry because the job went to someone who had pulled strings.
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{not} [do] (any|) evil that good (may|might|) come (out|) of it

to avoid doing something bad or unethical for the sake of achieving something good

Ex: He believed one should not do evil that good may come of it, even in politics.
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up to no good

about to do something bad or evil

Ex: The dog disappeared with my shoe, so he's clearly up to no good.
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to [curry] favor

to try to gain advantage by flattery or submissive behavior

Ex: Everyone noticed that he was currying favor instead of doing real work.
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to [wheel] and [deal]

to use various dishonest or complicated methods in order to gain things, particularly in politics or business

Ex: The deal looked clean, but everyone knew there had been some wheeling and dealing.
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to [fall] into a trap

to be placed in a difficult position by believing something that is not true or trusting someone who lies

Ex: I nearly fell into a trap, but a friend warned me in time.
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guinea pig

someone on whom scientific experiments are tested

Ex: The volunteers knew they were guinea pigs, but they signed up willingly .
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to [grease] {one's} [hand|palm]

to secretly offer someone money or anything of high value in order to persuade them to help one or do what one desires

Ex: The manager was fired for greasing palms to win contracts.
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ambulance chaser

a lawyer who finds clients at the scenes of accidents or other tragedies, especially with the intention of earning money through legal action

Ex: A serious lawyer helps victims ; an ambulance chaser exploits their pain .
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to [load] the dice

to do something unfair in order to make a particular outcome more probable

Ex: If you let one candidate write the questions, you load the dice in his favor.
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to [set] a thief to catch a thief

to make use of a thief or criminal just to be able to anticipate, understand, or capture other criminals or thieves

Ex: Sometimes investigators set a thief to catch a thief, but it is always risky.
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to [stack] the (cards|deck)

to arrange situations or conditions to achieve a preferred result by giving oneself an unfair advantage

Ex: If you let one candidate write the questions, you stack the deck in his favor.
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to [lead] {sb} (around|) by the nose

to manipulate or control someone easily, typically by making them obediently follow one's commands or desires

Ex: He was so eager for approval that anyone could lead him around by the nose.
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to [steal] {one's} thunder

to use someone else's idea, plan, words, etc. in order to prevent them from reaching success or getting attention

Ex: She was careful not to steal anyone's thunder during the presentation.
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to [play] games

to engage in activities or behaviors that involve deception, manipulation, or deceit in order to achieve a particular outcome, often at the expense of others

Ex: He accused the lawyers of playing games to delay the trial.
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to [sell] ice to Eskimos

to convince someone to do something that seems unnecessary or redundant, especially to buy something they do not need

Ex: He bragged that he could sell ice to Eskimos, but customers soon saw through him.
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