trick / trik/ • n. 1. a cunning or skillful act or scheme intended to deceive or outwit someone: he's a double-dealer capable of any mean trick. ∎  a mischievous practical joke: she thought Elaine was playing some trick on her. ∎  a skillful act performed for entertainment or amusement: he did conjuring tricks for his daughters. ∎  an illusion: I thought I saw a flicker of emotion, but it was probably a trick of the light. ∎  a clever or particular way of doing something: the trick is to put one ski forward and kneel.2. a peculiar or characteristic habit or mannerism: she had a trick of clipping off certain words and phrases.3. (in bridge, whist, and similar card games) a sequence of cards forming a single round of play. One card is laid down by each player, the highest card being the winner.4. inf. a prostitute's client.5. a sailor's turn at the helm, usually lasting for two or four hours.• v. [tr.] 1. (often be tricked) deceive or outwit (someone) by being cunning or skillful: buyers can be tricked by savvy sellers. ∎  (trick someone into) use deception to make someone do (something): he tricked her into parting with the money. ∎  (trick someone out of) use deception to deprive someone of (something): the king was tricked out of his land.2. Heraldry sketch (a coat of arms) in outline, with the colors indicated by letters or signs.• adj. 1. intended or used to deceive or mystify, or to create an illusion: a trick question.2. liable to fail; defective: a trick knee.PHRASES: do the trick inf. achieve the required result.every trick in the book inf. every available method of achieving what one wants.how's tricks? inf. used as a friendly greeting: “How's tricks in your neck of the woods?”not miss a tricksee miss¹ .the oldest trick in the book a ruse so hackneyed that it should no longer deceive anyone.trick or treat a children's custom of calling at houses at Halloween with the threat of pranks if they are not given a small gift (often used as a greeting by children doing this).tricks of the trade special ingenious techniques used in a profession or craft, esp. those that are little known by outsiders.turn a trick inf. (of a prostitute) have a session with a client.up to one's (old) tricks inf. misbehaving in a characteristic way.PHRASAL VERBS: trick someone/something out (or up) (usu. be tricked out) dress or decorate someone or something in an elaborate or showy way: a Marine tricked out in World War II kit and weaponry.DERIVATIVES: trick·er n.trick·ish adj. ( dated ).

trick every trick in the book every available method of achieving what one wants.
not miss a trick never fail to take advantage of a situation.
the oldest trick in the book a ruse so hackneyed that it should no longer deceive anyone.
there are tricks in every trade proverbial saying, mid 17th century; meaning that the practise of every skill is likely to involve some trickery or dishonesty.
trick or treat a children's custom of calling at houses at Halloween with the threat of pranks if they are not given a small gift (often used as a greeting by children doing this); the practice is first recorded in the US in the mid 20th century.

See also you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

trick
A. crafty or mean device XV; dexterous artifice XVI;

B. (bad or unpleasant) habit XVI;

C. (her.) sketch of a coat of arms XVI;

D. cards played and won in a round XVI. — OF. trique, dial. var. of triche, f. trichier (mod. tricher) deceive, cheat.
Hence (presumably) trick vb. A. cheat; B. attire, deck; C. sketch, draw in outline. XVI. trickery XVIII. tricksy (-SY) smart, spruce XVI; playful, whimsical; ticklish XIX. tricky (-Y1) deceitful XVIII; difficult to handle XIX.

Trick ★★★ 1999 (R)

Cheery gay romantic comedy. Quiet Gabriel (Campbell) is a struggling Broadway composer with a horndog straight roommate (Beyer) who is constantly taking over their apartment for his onenighters (and locking Gabe out). Which leaves Gabriel in a dilemma when he meets hunky gogo boy, Mark (Pitok), and the duo can't find a place to be alone. But as the night wears on, they discover that lust may be taking a backseat to some deeper feelings. 90m/C VHS, DVD . Missi Pyle, Christian Campbell, John Paul (J.P.) Pitoc, Tori Spelling, Brad Beyer, Clinton Leupp, Lorri Bagley, Steve Hayes; D: Jim Fall; W: Jason Schafer; C: Terry Stacey; M: David Friedman.