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do the trick — to be effective; to achieve the desired result; to solve a problem

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: to be effective; to achieve the desired result; to solve a problem

Pronunciation (IPA): /duː ðə trɪk/

Example Sentences

  • My grandma's secret recipe for hiccups should do the trick - just hold your breath and hop on one foot!
  • A cup of coffee and a good night's sleep will do the trick for your exam preparation.
  • When my computer froze, turning it off and on again did the trick perfectly.

do the trick

NOUN

[/duː ðə trɪk/]

to be effective; to achieve the desired result; to solve a problem

The magician's clever trick did the trick, making the audience believe that the coin had disappeared.
💡 Concept

The magician's clever trick did the trick, making the audience believe that the coin had disappeared.

The magician did the trick, fooling the audience with a hidden mechanism while one careful observer discovered how it worked.
🧠 Mnemonic

The magician did the trick, fooling the audience with a hidden mechanism while one careful observer discovered how it worked.

The magician's clever trick made the audience click their fingers, and his quick final move did the trick.
🎵 Rhyme

The magician's clever trick made the audience click their fingers, and his quick final move did the trick.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/duː ðə trɪk/
🇬🇧 UK/duː ðə trɪk/

🌳Etymology

Origin

The word 'trick' originally denoted a skill or technique, but from the 16th century onwards, it evolved to mean a method of solving a problem. The phrase 'do the trick' developed as an idiomatic expression, suggesting that something works effectively—as if a magician resolves a problem through sleight of hand.

Breakdown

do (to perform or execute) + the (definite article) + trick (a skillful technique or method to solve a problem). The phrase combines the verb 'do' with 'trick' in its figurative sense of an effective solution or stratagem.

🎵Rhyme

quick
stick
click
pick

🔗Collocations

should do the trick
might do the trick
will do the trick
ought to do the trick
that'll do the trick

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandma's secret recipe for hiccups should do the trick - just hold your breath and hop on one foot!”

“A cup of coffee and a good night's sleep will do the trick for your exam preparation.”

“When my computer froze, turning it off and on again did the trick perfectly.”

😄 Fun example

“I told my cat a joke to cheer him up, but apparently catnip does the trick better than comedy.”

📚Related Words

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