Hocus
verb
To cheat or trick someone in a dishonest way.
He was accused of trying to hocus the public.
Often appears as...
- hocus the public
- hocus someone
phrase
Hocus-pocus, a meaningless talk or activity, often designed to draw away attention from and disguise what is actually happening.
He dismissed the research as mere hocus-pocus.
Often appears as...
- mere hocus-pocus
- a lot of hocus-pocus
verb
To cheat or trick someone in a dishonest way.
He was accused of trying to hocus the public.
Often appears as...
- hocus the public
- hocus someone
phrase
Hocus-pocus, a meaningless talk or activity, often designed to draw away attention from and disguise what is actually happening.
He dismissed the research as mere hocus-pocus.
Often appears as...
- mere hocus-pocus
- a lot of hocus-pocus
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The word 'hocus' implies negative judgement and is used for untrustworthy actions.
They used marketing to hocus customers into overpaying.
Pro Tip 2/3Conversational Usage
'Hocus' is more commonly used in informal conversations, not in formal writing.
I can't believe they tried to hocus us with fake reviews.
Pro Tip 3/3Collocations Matter
Pair 'hocus' with words like 'trick', 'cheat', or 'fooled' to clarify that someone is being deceived.
He hocus us by intentionally hiding the truth.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The word 'hocus' implies negative judgement and is used for untrustworthy actions.
They used marketing to hocus customers into overpaying.
Pro Tip 2/3Conversational Usage
'Hocus' is more commonly used in informal conversations, not in formal writing.
I can't believe they tried to hocus us with fake reviews.
Pro Tip 3/3Collocations Matter
Pair 'hocus' with words like 'trick', 'cheat', or 'fooled' to clarify that someone is being deceived.
He hocus us by intentionally hiding the truth.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The word 'hocus' implies negative judgement and is used for untrustworthy actions.
They used marketing to hocus customers into overpaying.
Pro Tip 2/3Conversational Usage
'Hocus' is more commonly used in informal conversations, not in formal writing.
I can't believe they tried to hocus us with fake reviews.
Pro Tip 3/3Collocations Matter
Pair 'hocus' with words like 'trick', 'cheat', or 'fooled' to clarify that someone is being deceived.
He hocus us by intentionally hiding the truth.
Never forget "Hocus"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension