shtik

A noun of Yiddish origin referring to a piece, routine, or gimmick, often used in performance or entertainment contexts.

• 🇫🇷Nom d'origine yiddish désignant un numéro, un tour ou un fragment comique ou spectaculaire utilisé dans une performance, ou plus généralement une astuce, une manie ou un comportement particulier.

1. A small piece or amount B2 informal

   A little bit or a small portion of something, often used in a general sense.

   • He only ate a shtik of bread for breakfast.
   • She gave me a shtik of advice before the interview.
   • I just need a shtik more time to finish this.

   🇫🇷petit morceau, petite quantité

   Synonymes: bitcrumbdabdashhintiotajotmodicummorselparticlepinchscrapsmidgentouchwhit

   Antonymes: abundancebulkheaplotmasspilequantity

2. Performer's gimmick B2 informal art

   A rehearsed or characteristic bit of business or routine used by a performer to attract attention or create a signature style.

   • The comedian's shtik involves pretending to trip over his own feet.
   • Her shtik is to pause dramatically before delivering the punchline.
   • Every magician has a shtik to distract the audience.

   🇫🇷Numéro ou accessoire fétiche d'un artiste

   Synonymes: actbitgimmicknumberroutine

3. Prank or clowning B2 informal

   A playful trick or piece of clowning, often intended to amuse.

   • The kids pulled a silly shtik on their teacher.
   • His shtik at the party was to wear a ridiculous hat.
   • That was just a harmless shtik to make everyone laugh.

   🇫🇷Numéro de clown, pitrerie

   Synonymes: caperclowningescapadegagjokelarkprankstunttrick

4. Devious trick C1 informal

   A cunning or dishonest trick, often involving cheating or deception.

   • He tried a shtik to avoid paying the full price.
   • The con artist's shtik was to pretend to be a charity worker.
   • That was a cheap shtik to win the game unfairly.

   🇫🇷Tour pendable

   Synonymes: artificeployruseschemestratagemsubterfugetrickwile