box of tricks

box of tricks

English

Alternative forms

• box-of-tricks

Noun

box of tricks

1. A box, suitcase, etc., used by a magician to carry stage paraphernalia.
2. (figuratively) Anything used to perform a specific task or achieve a particular goal; the means or apparatus used to accomplish something.
   • 1902 January 2, The Evening Telegraph, page 3, column 2:

     Uncle Sam has found his box of tricks heavy, and is having a whiff before going on with his white man's burden to the end.

3. (figuratively) A crafty person.
   • 1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:

     "You damned, canting, hypocritical box-of-tricks. I'll be even with you yet." The heavy door slammed behind him.

Derived terms

• whole box of tricks