Translation guide
To defeat or gain an advantage over someone by being more clever or cunning.
To defeat an opponent by using superior intelligence or strategy.
The most common and natural way to say 'outwit' in Japanese. It implies getting ahead of someone by cleverness, often in competitive situations.
To deceive or trick someone by being more clever.
The general word for 'deceive' or 'trick'. When used in the context of outwitting, it emphasizes the deceptive aspect.
To evade capture or danger by being clever.
Combines 'outwit' with 'escape'. Natural for situations like evading pursuers.
犯人は警察を出し抜いて逃げた。
The criminal outwitted the police and escaped.
Both mean 'outwit', but 出し抜く is more general and common. 裏をかく specifically implies anticipating the opponent's move and doing the opposite, often in a strategic game or negotiation.
彼はライバルを出し抜いた。
He outwitted his rival (general).
相手の裏をかいて勝った。
He won by outmaneuvering his opponent (strategic).
Do not translate 'outwit' literally as 知恵で勝つ (win by wisdom). While understandable, it sounds unnatural. Use 出し抜く or 裏をかく instead.
He outwitted his rival and got the contract.
彼女はいつも同僚を出し抜こうとする。
She always tries to outwit her colleagues.
Literally 'to strike the back', meaning to outmaneuver someone by anticipating their move and doing the opposite. Often used in sports, games, or negotiations.
相手の裏をかいて得点した。
He outwitted his opponent and scored.
A noun phrase meaning 'one step ahead' or 'a cut above'. Used to describe someone who is cleverer and outwits others.
彼はいつも一枚上手だ。
He always outwits everyone.
Literally 'to win in a battle of wits'. More explicit and less common in everyday speech.
知恵比べで相手に勝った。
I outwitted my opponent in a battle of wits.
彼は巧妙に相手を騙した。
He cleverly outwitted his opponent.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to pull a fast one' or 'to outsmart someone in a sneaky way'. Casual and vivid.
彼に一杯食わせられた。
I was outwitted by him.
Literally 'to handle like a ball', meaning to manipulate or outwit someone easily. Somewhat literary.
彼は敵を手玉に取った。
He outwitted his enemy with ease.
Means 'to successfully escape by cleverness'. 'まんまと' adds the nuance of doing it smoothly and cleverly.
彼はまんまと逃げおおせた。
He outwitted them and got away clean.