Outsmart someone
Meaning
To defeat or gain an advantage over another person by using superior intelligence, cunning, or wit.
Origin
The journey of "smart" from meaning a sharp sting to a sharp mind is fascinating. Originally tied to physical pain in Old English, it later evolved to describe quick wit and intelligence by the 16th century. It wasn't until the 19th century, in the burgeoning era of strategic games and intellectual pursuits, that the potent prefix "out-"—meaning to surpass or exceed—was firmly wedded to "smart." This created the direct and effective verb "outsmart," a testament to linguistic efficiency: no grand tale of ancient battles, just the elegant construction of a word perfectly designed to describe one mind triumphing over another through sheer intellect.
Examples
- The detective managed to outsmart the criminal by predicting his next move and setting a trap.
- Despite being less experienced, the young chess player found a clever way to outsmart her opponent and win the match.