Behavior & Approach - Being Tactful

Explore English idioms that relate to being tactful, including "waiting game" and "kill two birds with one stone".

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a bag of tricks [phrase]

a combination of skills or techniques that can help in achieving one's goals

Ex:

(more|another) string to {one's} bow [phrase]

a variety of plans, ideas, etc. that one can use if need arises

Ex: Learning a new language is just one more string to her bow , making her a more valuable asset to the company .

waiting game [noun]

a strategy in which one deliberately refrains from taking any action in order to gain advantage later on

Ex: Job seekers often play the waiting game after submitting applications , hoping for interview invitations .

to [weigh] {one's} words [phrase]

to take a moment to ponder what one is about to say

Ex: Before addressing the sensitive topic , she paused to weigh her words , ensuring she did n't offend anyone .

to [kill] two birds with one stone [phrase]

to achieve two goals at the same time only by taking one action

Ex: By working from home , she can kill two birds with one stone – save time on commuting and spend more time with her family .

to [see] which way the cat [jumps] [phrase]

to refrain from making a decision or taking any action until one acquires more data on the situation or how it develops

Ex:

velvet glove [noun]

a very friendly and gentle manner that is used to hide one's firm determination or ruthless mindset

Ex: She managed to resolve the conflict with a velvet glove by calmly addressing the issue while asserting her authority .

pester power [noun]

the influence children have on their parents or caregivers to buy or do something through continuous requests, demands, or persuasion

Ex: The toy industry relies heavily on pester power , as children 's requests for specific toys can heavily influence parents ' buying decisions .

to [speak] softly (and|but) [carry] a big stick [phrase]

to approach situations calmly and diplomatically while also having the strength and power to take action if necessary

Ex: The diplomat emphasized the need to speak softly but carry a big stick to achieve peaceful resolutions in international conflicts .

the oldest trick in the book [phrase]

an overused method that may still succeed

Ex: When he attempted to convince his parents that he was sick to avoid going to school , they saw through it , saying it was the oldest trick in the book .

Behavior & Approach
Foresight & Prudence	Overreaction	Tact	Being Tactful
Improvisation & Compromise	Behaving Politely	Lack of Care or Consideration	Without Care or Thought
Reacting or Demanding	Conversational Responses	Showing Surprise	Paying or Getting Attention
Not Paying Attention	Offensive Behavior	Reaction & Response	Jealousy & Competition
Harsh & Strict Treatment