the tricks of the trade

tricks of the trade

Certain clever or ingenious skills, techniques, or methods used by professionals to do something more easily or efficiently. My uncle used to be a tailor, so he taught me all the tricks of the trade to alter a shirt. My accountant friend is showing me the tricks of the trade to pay as few taxes as possible on my income.
See also: of, trade, trick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the ˌtricks of the ˈtrade

the clever or expert ways of doing things, especially used by people in their jobs: She’s only been here a couple of months, so she’s still learning the tricks of the trade.
See also: of, trade, trick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • Fanny's your aunt
  • a little goes a long way
  • come in
  • come in a certain position
  • come on in
  • damn well
  • a cold day in Hell
  • as one does
  • be (flat) on (one's) back
  • count in
References in classic literature
He had not worked off a cake; yet he had tried all the tricks of the trade, even to the washing of a hermit; but the hermit died.
Connecticut Yankee
More than 700,000 people are thought to make a full or part-time living trading goods on the auction website, and the course promises to teach pupils the tricks of the trade. Tutors at Northampton College have developed a three-hour session, The Basics of Selling on eBay, aimed at those who want to learn the best ways to sell unwanted presents, collectables and memorabilia through the world-famous online marketplace.
EBay entrepreneur course launched
Discover the tricks of the trade with experts Christine Walkden, from the BBC's Christine's Garden, Steve Bradley and Chris Canaan.
A blooming good day out
FBI instructor Jake Harris (Val Kilmer) completes his course on the profiling of serial killers by taking his new recruits to a remote island to teach them the tricks of the trade.
The Razz: dvd video: MINDHUNTERS ##### 15
Budding artists can learn the tricks of the trade from experts.
Oil-y helpful
Twenty students will learn all the tricks of the trade.
Get on course to be a comic
Best House Buy aims to make homebuyers smarter, equipping them with the tricks of the trade so they can identify properties below their potential market value, maximise their value and end up with a bargain plus some profit.
Regional roundup
Doors will open at 12.30pm for a magicians-only afternoon session featuring lectures, close-ups of the tricks of the trade - and a forum with special guest Darren Brown, whose new show will be televised over Christmas.
Magic Circle to conjure up some family fun
Pat O'Brien fills Clodagh in on the latest news on growing potatoes and apples and Richard Auler reveals the tricks of the trade on organic beef making.
We love telly: We love cookery 1 - FRESH FROM THE FARMERS' MARKETS RTE1, 7.30pm
They revealed some of the tricks of the trade to delegates at a recent seminar hosted by the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) - a charitable organisation which aims to improve opportunities for black communities across Britain.
Zarr help minority businesses
The firm revealed some of the tricks of the trade to delegates at a seminar hosted by the Black Training and Enterprise Group in London.
Website words of wisdom
A computer taster session is being held at Castle Bromwich Library where people will be taught the tricks of the trade in using the internet.
Never too old to surf; CASTLE BROMWICH
A report reveals the tricks of the trade used by food stylists to create the pictures on the boxes.
Mr Kipling takes an exceedingly clever picture; SECRETS BEHIND THOSE MOUTH-WATERING ADVERTS
The Tricks of the Trade study, carried out by insurance firm AXA, found that plumbers in London topped the league of shame, with an extra pounds 10 to pounds 15 being levied on 48pc of women.
Women ripped off
But the look of it and the soundtrack are pure Hotel Babylon, right down to Belle's eye-popping explanation of the tricks of the trade.
We love telly: FREE view THE SECRET DIARY OF A CALL GIRL 10pm, ITV2