outsmart

American  

[out-smahrt] / ˌaʊtˈsmɑrt /

verb (used with object)

1. to get the better of (someone); outwit.

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idioms

1. outsmart oneself, to defeat oneself unintentionally by overly elaborate intrigue, scheming, or the like.

   This time he may have outsmarted himself.

outsmart British  

/ ˌaʊtˈsmɑːt /

verb

1. informal (tr) to get the better of; outwit

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Etymology

Origin of outsmart

1925–30; out- + smart (adj.)

Example Sentences

In the group Slack, Claudius became an oddly real presence, a co-worker people collaborated with in small groups, teased and collectively tried to outsmart.

From The Wall Street Journal

"You can be sure that other teams will be analysing us so we need to keep improving our tactics and playing style so that we can outsmart them."

From Barron's

Nansi is too powerful to subdue, and too smart to outsmart.

From Literature

For not only had Mamá and Daddy outsmarted segregation and oppression and sent all four of their children to college, but our daughters would be college educated as well.

From Literature

Rare hyena behaviours have been caught on camera, including a mother-to-be trying to steal food from wild dogs and outsmarting rivals by hiding a stolen carcass underwater to mask its scent.

From BBC

Related Words

• baffle
• bamboozle
• circumvent
• deceive
• outdo
• outfox
• outmaneuver