ploy

IPA/plɔɪ/
KK[plˈɔɪ]IPA/plɔɪ/

ploy — noun

  • ploysingular
  • ploysplural

1. a clever plan or action used to gain an advantage over others, especially one th

1.名詞B2
釋義

a clever plan or action used to gain an advantage over others, especially one that is not completely honest

例句

The salesman's warm questions about my kids were just a ploy to sell me a costly insurance package.

a ploy + to-infinitive pattern: 'a ploy to sell…'

Fatima saw through her brother's ploy to borrow the car for the weekend.

同義詞
  • ruse

    more explicitly a deception or trick meant to mislead

  • tactic

    neutral term for any planned action; lacks the negative connotation of 'ploy'

  • stratagem

    formal, often used in military or competitive contexts

文法句型

a ploy + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Typically implies the action has an element of trickery or manipulation. Common in journalism and political writing. Often followed by to-infinitive explaining the real aim.

常見錯誤

❌The company announced a new business ploy.
✅The company announced a new business strategy.
💡'ploy' carries a negative, manipulative feel; use 'strategy' or 'plan' for neutral business contexts.