How do you use the word "ruse" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "ruse": All the sweet talk was just a ruse to get her into bed. It could just be a ruse.

Ruse

/ɹuːz/

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounA turning or doubling back, especially of animals to get out of the way of hunting dogs.

nounAn action intended to deceive; a trick.

Sentence Examples

All the sweet talk was just a ruse to get her into bed.

It could just be a ruse.

Tom had suspected that it was a ruse.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

artifice

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

The spy used a clever ____ to get the secret documents from the safe.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

The spy used a clever ____ to distract the guards while his partner slipped inside.

Word Origin & History

From Middle English rūse (“evasive movements of a pursued animal; circuitous course taken by a hunter to pursue a game animal”), from Old French rëuse, ruse (“evasive movements of a pursued animal; trickery”) (modern French ruse (“trick, ruse; cunning, guile”)), from ruser (“to use cunning, to be crafty, beguile”), possibly from Latin rursus (“backward; on the contrary; again, in return”) or Latin recūsāre, from recūsō (“to decline, refuse; to object to, protest, reject”). Doublet of recuse and rouse in the latter case. The verb is derived from the noun. Compare Middle French ruser (“to use cunning, to be crafty, beguile”); see further above.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"The boar was evidently most averse to leave the field in which he had spent so may pleasant hours of uninterrupted rest; […] He turned sharply to one flank; he stopped dead, and went away in the opposite direction as he heard the hunters gallop past; every ruse he tried, but tried in vain." — 1867, J. T. Newall, chapter XVII, in Hog Hunting in the East, and Other Sports, London: Tinsley Brothers, […], →OCLC, pages 367–368:

"It must be borne in mind that huntsmen sometimes make casts which they know must lose them their fox: […] At the same time, it would be bad policy to explain these little matters: some parties, who are not sufficiently acquainted with the management of hounds, might be discontented, whereas by such a ruse no offence is given, as nine-tenths of the Field are not aware that it is not the most likely cast to recover the scent." — 1839 November, “Cecil”, “Observations on Hunting, with Comparisons of the Usages of the Past and Present Days”, in The Sporting Magazine, or Monthly Calendar of the Transactions of the Turf, the Chase and Every Other Diversion Interesting to the Man of Pleasure, Enterprise & Spirit, volume XX (2nd Series; volume XCV, Old Series), number CXV, London: Published by [J.] Pittman, […], published 1840, →OCLC, page 53:

"He was soon upon his feet, another assegai whistled through the air, and pierced through the neck of the lioness. But, as before, the wound was not fatal, and the animal, now enraged to a frenzy, charged once more upon her assailant. So rapid was her advance that it was with great difficulty Congo got under cover. A moment later, and his ruse would have failed, for the claws of the lion rattled upon the shield as it descended." — 1857, [Thomas] Mayne, “How Congo the Kaffir Killed a Lioness”, in The Young Yägers: Or, A Narrative of Hunting Adventures in Southern Africa, London: David Bogue, […], →OCLC, pages 64–65:

"I have that strong impression on my mind that a person who is guilty of a ruse will hesitate at no falsehood. If it was a ruse, and if it was a deceit, you are to judge whether that elevates the persons in your mind who are parties to that trick." — 1873 August 7, “Sixty-eighth Day.—Tuesday, August 7th, 1873.”, in [Edward] Kenealy, editor, The Trial at Bar of Sir Roger C. D. Tichborne, Bart., […], volume IV, London: "Englishman" Office, Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, published 1877, →OCLC, page 69, column 2:

"Soon, however, Courvoisier forced matters, when, despairing of ever catching the wily outlaw leader by fair means, he resorted to the ruse of carrying off Friar Tuck of Copmanhurst and holding him as a hostage." — 1922 May, Fred R. Hurworth, “The Alchemist: A Story of the Days of Robin Hood”, in The Boy’s Own Paper, volume XLV, part 7, London: "Boy's Own Paper" Office, […], →OCLC, chapter I, page 474, column 1:

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