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.
He outwitted his rival and got the contract.
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.
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.
He always outwits everyone.
Literally 'to win in a battle of wits'. More explicit and less common in everyday speech.
I outwitted my opponent in a battle of wits.
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.
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.
I was outwitted by him.
Literally 'to handle like a ball', meaning to manipulate or outwit someone easily. Somewhat literary.
To evade capture or danger by being clever.
Combines 'outwit' with 'escape'. Natural for situations like evading pursuers.
The criminal outwitted the police and escaped.
Means 'to successfully escape by cleverness'. 'まんまと' adds the nuance of doing it smoothly and cleverly.
He outwitted them and got away clean.
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.
He outwitted his rival (general).
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 enemy with ease.