finesse
Definitions
Skillful, subtle, and graceful handling of a situation.
技巧，手腕；娴熟优雅的处理。
To handle something cleverly and tactfully; to manage by skill or trickery.
巧妙地处理；用手腕应对。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedA French derivative of fin 'fine, delicate, refined.' Finesse is, literally, 'fineness' — the quality of doing something with delicate, polished skill rather than brute force. The whole word was borrowed from French intact, which is why it keeps the French ending and feel.
Root fin still carries 30 more wordsWhy It Means This
Finesse sits right next to 'fine' in the family: French took fin 'delicate, refined' and made finesse, the noun for that delicacy applied to action. The image is a surgeon's hand or a diplomat's wording — getting a hard thing done with a light, precise touch. Compare it to clumsy force: you can solve a problem with a sledgehammer or with finesse.
Common Collocations
- 1.handle with finesse巧妙处理
- 2.diplomatic finesse外交手腕
- 3.lack finesse缺乏技巧
- 4.skill and finesse技巧与手腕
Example Sentences
- 1.
She handled the awkward question with great finesse.
- 2.
The negotiation required tact and finesse.
- 3.
He finessed his way out of the difficult meeting.