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Synonyms

do the trick

Idioms  

  1. Also, turn the trick. Bring about a desired result, succeed. For example, One more turn with the wrench should do the trick, or Bill wanted to finish all the errands in one day but he couldn't quite turn the trick. The first expression dates from the early 1800s; the variant, from the first half of the 1900s; should not be confused with turn a trick.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The truth is, whatever you pick — as long as it’s something — will likely do the trick of growing faster than the rate of inflation as you age.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Arrogance, greed and misjudgment were, and remain, enough to do the trick.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

These days, being a limelight-seeking senator, swing-state governor, or New York City real estate developer who used to host a reality TV show can do the trick.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

A break on tariffs won’t do the trick.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

“It says multi-surface cleanser. My feet definitely qualify as multi-surface. Besides, it’s antibacterial. I need that. Believe me, water won’t do the trick on these babies.”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.