1trick 
/ˈtrɪk/ noun
plural tricks /ˈtrɪk/ noun [count] 1 : an action that is meant to deceive someone
▪ It was a trick to persuade her to give him money. ▪ That was a dirty/mean/rotten trick. [=an unkind or unfair thing to do] — see also dirty tricks 2 : something done to surprise or confuse someone and to make other people laugh
▪ He played a trick on me. [=he tricked me] ▪ She enjoys playing tricks on her friends. 3 : a clever and skillful action that someone performs to entertain or amuse people
▪ For his last trick, the magician made a rabbit disappear. ▪ magic/card/circus tricks 4 : a clever and effective way of doing something
▪ I know a good trick for removing stains from clothes. ▪ He knows a lot of useful programming tricks. ▪ a handy trick for remembering names ▪ He has a lot of experience with gardening, so he should be able to show/teach us a trick or two. [=he should be able to give us good advice about gardening] 5 : something that causes confusion or that makes something seem different from what it actually is
▪ He was so tired his mind was playing tricks on him. [=he could not think clearly] ▪ The paint looked blue, but it was just a trick of the light. [=the light made the paint appear blue even though it was a different color] 6 : the cards that are played in one round of a card game
▪ She has won the last three tricks. 7 US, informal : a sex act performed by a prostitute
▪ She was living on the street and turning tricks [=taking money for sex] to survive.
▪ It was a trick to persuade her to give him money. ▪ That was a dirty/mean/rotten trick. [=an unkind or unfair thing to do] — see also dirty tricks
▪ He played a trick on me. [=he tricked me] ▪ She enjoys playing tricks on her friends.
▪ For his last trick, the magician made a rabbit disappear. ▪ magic/card/circus tricks
▪ I know a good trick for removing stains from clothes. ▪ He knows a lot of useful programming tricks. ▪ a handy trick for remembering names ▪ He has a lot of experience with gardening, so he should be able to show/teach us a trick or two. [=he should be able to give us good advice about gardening]
▪ He was so tired his mind was playing tricks on him. [=he could not think clearly] ▪ The paint looked blue, but it was just a trick of the light. [=the light made the paint appear blue even though it was a different color]
▪ She has won the last three tricks.
▪ She was living on the street and turning tricks [=taking money for sex] to survive.
do the trick
informal : to produce a desired result : to solve a problem
▪ One small adjustment will do the trick.
▪ One small adjustment will do the trick.
every trick in the book
◊If you try every trick in the book, you do everything you can to achieve something.
▪ They'll use every trick in the book to get you to buy their products. ▪ He tried every trick in the book [=he tried every method he knew] to get the car started, but nothing worked.
▪ They'll use every trick in the book to get you to buy their products. ▪ He tried every trick in the book [=he tried every method he knew] to get the car started, but nothing worked.
never/not miss a trick
informal : to notice everything : to always know what is happening
▪ He never misses a trick.
▪ He never misses a trick.
trick of the/your trade — see 1trade
up to your (old) tricks
informal ◊If you are up to your (old) tricks, you are doing the kind of dishonest things that you have done in the past.
you can't teach an old dog new tricks — see 1dog
— see also hat trick, trick or treat
