cunning
基本释义
[adjective] having or showing skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion
[形容词] 具有或表现出通过欺骗或逃避来达到目的的技巧的
深入解读
Cunning 不仅是一个与熟词 can （懂得、知道）的现在分词 canning 十分形似的单词，同时也源于后者。该词最早出现于14世纪初，原用来表示“学识渊博的、熟练的、拥有知识的”。
这个含义后来主要用来形容人或手艺“灵巧的、熟练的”，或者形容工艺、作品等“精巧的、巧妙制成的”，常指作品在渊博或深奥的知识下经过完美制作而成，表现出了高度的建造或创造技巧，强调在设计、发明或制作过程中的独创性和巧妙性。在这个概念下 cunning 也可以用作名词表示“灵巧、熟练”。比如：
- “那是一篇构思巧妙的侦探作品。”“我也这么认为。”
“It was a cunning piece of detective work.” “My sentiments exactly.”
等到了14世纪末后， cunning 开始发展出现在的主要含义指“狡猾的、狡诈的、诡诈的”，常作贬义词使用，主要指熟练使用知识、技能等来通过欺骗或逃避达到某个狡诈的目的，包括规避（circumvent）某个规则、限制等，常暗示着一种诡诈的才智、扭曲的道德感和近乎恶毒（vicious）的精明。在这个概念下 cunning 也可以用作名词表示“狡猾、狡诈、诡诈”。比如：
- 他不得不与一个冷静、聪明而又狡猾的对手斗智。
He has to pit his wits against an adversary who is cool, clever and cunning. - 他是一个机敏而又多才多艺的才子。但他却用了卑鄙的欺诈手段来获取他想得到的东西。
He is a nimble and versatile wit. But he used low cunning to get what he wanted.
好书例句
I have had to use every ounce of cunning I possess, so that my hand would not be detectable in your success.
我不得不使出我所有的心计，使人们看不出我插手的痕迹。
出自英国作家J·K·罗琳的奇幻小说《哈利·波特》系列的第四本《哈利·波特与火焰杯》（Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire）。
外刊例句
- Perhaps the most cunning Disney trick is to take fairy tales in the public domain and reinvent them as corporate property.
迪斯尼公司最精明的盘算，或许就是将童话故事搬上大众舞台，且将其改头换面，成为公司资产。
——《时代周刊》 - Detectives who grill suspects in Homicide (TV series) do it with verbal cunning, not strong-arm bullying.
在《杀人》这部电视连续剧里，警察以巧妙的言词盘问嫌疑犯，而非动粗威胁。
——《时代周刊》
常见短语
- Cunning fox (狡猾的狐狸) – A sly and clever fox known for its deceptive tactics.
- Example: The cunning fox outwitted the hunters by leading them on a wild goose chase.
- Cunning plan (狡猾的计划) – A clever and deceptive strategy or scheme.
- Example: He devised a cunning plan to trick his opponents and gain an advantage.
- Cunning smile (狡猾的微笑) – A sly and knowing smile that suggests hidden intentions or mischief.
- Example: He wore a cunning smile as he revealed his surprise gift to her.
- Cunning mind (狡猾的头脑) – A sharp and crafty intellect that is skilled at deception and manipulation.
- Example: The detective admired the cunning mind of the criminal mastermind he was pursuing.
- Cunning disguise (狡猾的伪装) – A clever and deceptive appearance or costume used to conceal one’s true identity.
- Example: The spy wore a cunning disguise to infiltrate the enemy’s headquarters undetected.
- Cunning tactics (狡猾的战术) – Clever and strategic maneuvers employed to gain an advantage in a situation.
- Example: The team used cunning tactics to outmaneuver their opponents and secure victory.
- Cunning manipulation (狡猾的操控) – Deceptive and crafty behavior aimed at influencing others for personal gain.
- Example: The cunning politician was skilled at manipulation and could sway public opinion effortlessly.
- Cunning predator (狡猾的捕食者) – A clever and resourceful predator that employs various strategies to capture its prey.
- Example: The cheetah is known for its cunning hunting techniques, allowing it to catch fast-moving prey.
- Cunning observation (狡猾的观察) – A shrewd and astute observation that reveals hidden motives or intentions.
- Example: Her cunning observation of his body language indicated that he was hiding something.
- Cunning negotiation (狡猾的谈判) – Skillful and strategic negotiation tactics aimed at securing favorable terms.
- Example: The cunning negotiator used subtle persuasion and tactics to get the best deal for his client.
- Cunning competitor (狡猾的竞争对手) – A shrewd and crafty competitor who employs clever strategies to gain an edge.
- Example: The cunning competitor always stayed one step ahead of his rivals, anticipating their moves.
- Cunning scheme (狡猾的阴谋) – A devious and cunning plan intended to deceive or defraud others.
- Example: The criminals hatched a cunning scheme to rob the bank without raising suspicion.
- Cunning evasion (狡猾的回避) – Clever and artful avoidance of a difficult or uncomfortable situation.
- Example: The cunning evasion of the question raised suspicions about his involvement in the scandal.
- Cunning escape (狡猾的逃脱) – A clever and skillful getaway or evasion from a pursuer or captor.
- Example: The prisoner devised a cunning escape plan, managing to elude the guards and flee the prison.
- Cunning thief (狡猾的小偷) – A sly and skillful thief who employs clever tactics to steal without being caught.
- Example: The cunning thief managed to snatch the purse without the victim noticing.
- Cunning strategy (狡猾的策略) – A clever and deceptive plan formulated to achieve a specific goal.
- Example: The cunning strategy involved luring the enemy into a trap and then launching a surprise attack.
- Cunning manipulation (狡猾的操纵) – Skillful and deceptive control or influence over others for personal gain.
- Example: The cunning manipulator exploited people’s weaknesses to get what he wanted.
- Cunning move (狡猾的举动) – A clever and calculated action or maneuver aimed at achieving an advantage.
- Example: Her cunning move in the game caught her opponent off guard and secured her victory.
- Cunning deception (狡猾的欺骗) – The act of tricking or misleading someone through crafty and deceitful means.
- Example: The magician’s performance relied on cunning deception and misdirection to amaze the audience.
- Cunning instinct (狡猾的直觉) – A shrewd and intuitive awareness or understanding of people and situations.
- Example: The detective’s cunning instinct helped him solve the complex case.
同近义词
ingenious: (of a person) clever, original, and inventive
sly: having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature
devious: showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals
