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Region: General | Usage example: She pulled another solution from her bag of tricks.

Bag of tricks

Meaning

A set of clever resources or skills.

Usage

Used when someone demonstrates crafty or varied tactics.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Magicians carrying multiple props in a bag.

Used in performance and later advice contexts.

Related Idioms

Out of your depth

Handling something beyond your skills.

Make ends meet

Have enough money or resources to cover necessities.

Cut your losses

Stop investing effort or resources into something failing.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.