tricks of the trade

Idioms  

1. Clever ways of operating a business or performing a task or activity, especially slightly dishonest or unfair ones. For example, Alma knows all the tricks of the trade, cutting the fabric as close as possible, or The butcher weighs meat after it's wrapped; charging for the packaging is one of the tricks of the trade.

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Example Sentences

As a therapist herself, working in the same shared office space as her own analyst, Linda knows all of the tricks of the trade and also what defines a good and bad practitioner.

From Salon

That’s just enough wiggle room for sound engineers, who can try tricks of the trade to make commercials feel punchier and be perceived as louder while staying within the rules, Liaukonyte said.

From Los Angeles Times

He will perform at the Machynlleth Comedy Festival in May, and said there are "tricks of the trade" including certian "jokes and comebacks" that experienced comedians can lean on to deal with such situations.

From BBC

Despite Quentin’s request for his father to coach him in youth sports — “I wanted to learn all the tricks of the trade,” he said — Carnell declined.

From Los Angeles Times

Growing up in Laos, she learned tricks of the trade from her Hmong community, for whom gardening was an important part of everyday life.

From Seattle Times