Strategy & Tactic Vocabulary Set in Behavior, Attitude, & Approach: Full and Detailed List

The 'Strategy & Tactic' vocabulary set in 'Behavior, Attitude, & Approach' is carefully selected from standard international textbook sources, helping you master vocabulary in a short time. Comprehensive compilation of definitions, illustrative examples, and standard pronunciation...

Learn this vocabulary set on Lingoland

Learn Now

persuasion is better than force

/pərˈsweɪ.ʒən ɪz ˈbet̬.ɚ ðæn fɔːrs/

Example:

I tried to talk him into it gently, knowing that persuasion is better than force.

it takes a thief to catch a thief

/ɪt teɪks ə θiːf tuː kætʃ ə θiːf/

Example:

The police hired a former hacker to find the cybercriminal, because it takes a thief to catch a thief.

cross the stream where it is shallowest

/krɔːs ðə striːm wer ɪt ɪz ˈʃæloʊɪst/

Example:

Instead of overcomplicating the project, let's cross the stream where it is shallowest.

a clever hawk hides its claws

/ə ˈklɛvər hɔk haɪdz ɪts klɔz/

Example:

He never brags about his wealth; as they say, a clever hawk hides its claws.

a fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult

/ə fuːl ʃoʊz hɪz əˈnɔɪ.əns æt wʌns, bʌt ə ˈpruː.dənt mæn ˌoʊ.vərˈlʊks ən ˈɪn.sʌlt/

Example:

When he was insulted, he didn't react, remembering that a fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

the first blow is half the battle

/ðə fɜrst bloʊ ɪz hæf ðə ˈbætəl/

Example:

We need to launch the product before our competitors; the first blow is half the battle.

if you can't beat them, join them

/ɪf juː kænt biːt ðɛm dʒɔɪn ðɛm/

Example:

I didn't like the new company policy, but if you can't beat them, join them.

nothing must be done hastily but killing of fleas

/ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ mʌst bi dʌn ˈheɪ.stɪ.li bʌt ˈkɪl.ɪŋ ʌv fliːz/

Example:

Take your time with the contract; remember, nothing must be done hastily but killing of fleas.

an old poacher makes the best gamekeeper

/æn oʊld ˈpoʊ.tʃər meɪks ðə best ˈɡeɪmˌkiː.pər/

Example:

The bank hired a former hacker to lead their cybersecurity team; after all, an old poacher makes the best gamekeeper.

send the helve after the hatchet

/sɛnd ðə hɛlv ˈæftər ðə ˈhætʃɪt/

Example:

Investing more money into that failing business is just sending the helve after the hatchet.

you cannot catch old birds with chaff

/ju ˈkæn.ɑːt kætʃ oʊld bɜːrdz wɪð tʃæf/

Example:

He tried to trick the CEO with a basic lie, but you cannot catch old birds with chaff.

it is good to make a bridge of gold to a flying enemy

/ɪt ɪz ɡʊd tu meɪk ə brɪdʒ ʌv ɡoʊld tu ə ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈen.ə.mi/

Example:

Instead of cornering the competitor, the CEO decided it is good to make a bridge of gold to a flying enemy by offering a generous buyout.

a soft answer turns away wrath

/ə sɔːft ˈænsər tɜːrnz əˈweɪ ræθ/

Example:

When he started shouting, she remembered that a soft answer turns away wrath and spoke calmly.

not cast a clout until May be out

/nɑːt kæst ə klaʊt ʌnˈtɪl meɪ bi aʊt/

Example:

It's sunny today, but remember: not cast a clout until May be out.

waste not, want not

/weɪst nɑːt wɑːnt nɑːt/

Example:

I always save the leftovers for tomorrow's lunch; waste not, want not.

hope for the best, prepare for the worst

/hoʊp fɔːr ðə best, prɪˈper fɔːr ðə wɜːrst/

Example:

We've done all the planning we can; now we just have to hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

the customer is always right

/ðə ˈkʌs.tə.mər ɪz ˈɔːl.weɪz raɪt/

Example:

Even if the client is being difficult, remember that the customer is always right.

keep your friends close and your enemies closer

/kiːp jɔːr frendz kloʊs ænd jɔːr ˈen.ə.miz ˈkloʊ.sər/

Example:

In politics, it is often wise to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

say well or be still

/seɪ wɛl ɔːr biː stɪl/

Example:

If you can't find anything nice to mention about his work, remember: say well or be still.

the second mouse gets the cheese

/ðə ˈsek.ənd maʊs ɡets ðə tʃiːz/

Example:

The first startup failed, but the competitor succeeded; sometimes the second mouse gets the cheese.