To obtain something by trickery, manipulation, or deception; to achieve a desired outcome through clever, often underhanded, means. This implies shrewdness and an ability to work the system to one's advantage. It often suggests bending the rules or using persuasive tactics rather than outright dishonesty. The action typically benefits the 'finagler', sometimes at the expense of others, while maintaining a level of plausible deniability. It could apply to a specific action, situation, or a character trait, or it could be used in everyday language to convey that someone has been outsmarted, or to describe a crafty person.
Finagled meaning with examples
- Sarah finagled a front-row seat at the concert by pretending to be a journalist, promising to write a glowing review. Her persuasive charm worked flawlessly, getting her the best view in the house. Her successful deception left others who followed the rules, and who were further back in the venue, feeling aggrieved by the experience. She truly had a memorable night, one she had masterminded, and a story to tell.
- He finagled extra vacation time by subtly changing the schedule and subtly changing the records and convincing his colleagues to switch shifts. Nobody suspected anything amiss because he was very smooth, and his colleagues thought they were getting a benefit in the shift trade. This allowed him to take a much-needed break while maintaining the appearance of adherence to company policy. He returned fully refreshed.
- The company finagled its way around environmental regulations by exploiting loopholes in the legislation. The company had a team whose primary purpose was to bend the rules without breaking the letter of the law. They were able to lower operating costs and increase profit margins, although there was some pushback from environmental groups and agencies. The issue ultimately dragged the company into court.
- She finagled the contract negotiations in her favor by cleverly using ambiguous language and playing on the other party's uncertainty. She crafted a set of terms that were beneficial for her but left the other side feeling that they had been outmaneuvered. The deal closed quickly and effectively, as everyone wanted to avoid a lengthy lawsuit. Her negotiating prowess paid off handsomely.