Legerdemain

Legerdemain is the artful use of deceptive skill or trickery, especially in the performance of magic. It encompasses skillful hand movements, misdirection, and clever manipulation of objects to create an illusion or conceal the true mechanics of a feat. The term frequently applies to activities beyond magic, where subtle manipulation or cunning is used to achieve a desired outcome, often with an element of deceit involved. The goal is typically to enthrall an audience or to gain an advantage through seemingly impossible actions or persuasive tactics.

Legerdemain meaning with examples

• The magician's legerdemain was breathtaking; he made a dove disappear and reappear from seemingly nowhere. The audience gasped at the speed and dexterity of his hands, completely missing the clever misdirection. His entire act revolved around masterful sleight of hand, fooling even the most observant viewers with his remarkable ability to create wonder.
• The politician employed skillful legerdemain to divert attention from the scandal, focusing instead on unrelated positive developments. He deftly avoided direct questions and used clever wordplay, ensuring the media kept its focus on the wrong issues. The public initially noticed, though most were easily distracted from the core concern at hand.
• The con artist used sophisticated legerdemain to convince investors to hand over their money. The victim's lack of suspicion allowed the scammer to successfully dupe the audience. The expert at trickery promised unbelievable returns, relying on convincing presentations and carefully crafted illusions.
• The art of a good negotiator is a form of legerdemain, subtly guiding the conversation to a favorable outcome. Clever use of timing, carefully chosen words, and well-timed silences help control the negotiation's flow. His ability to influence opponents' understanding, allowed him to steer the conversation toward success.
• The thief's legerdemain allowed them to pickpocket without detection, their nimble fingers swiftly extracting the wallet from the unwary tourist. The agility of his hand movements allowed him to easily target multiple victims without consequence. The victim was shocked when they noticed that their wallet was no longer with them.