Houdini
noun
A person who can easily escape or disappear from a situation.
You're such a Houdini, I never know when you'll just disappear on me.
Often appears as...
- pull a houdini
- like houdini
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
noun
A well-known magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini.
Harry Houdini was one of the most famous magicians of all time.
Often appears as...
- harry houdini
- houdini's escape
Usage tips
Historical
noun
A person who can easily escape or disappear from a situation.
You're such a Houdini, I never know when you'll just disappear on me.
Often appears as...
- pull a houdini
- like houdini
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
noun
A well-known magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini.
Harry Houdini was one of the most famous magicians of all time.
Often appears as...
- harry houdini
- houdini's escape
Usage tips
Historical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
Used metaphorically to describe someone very elusive or adept at avoiding responsibility.
Whenever there's work to do, Bob turns into a Houdini.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Context
Common in casual conversation, may not be suitable for formal writing.
He pulled a Houdini and skipped the meeting.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Sometimes implies irresponsibility or avoiding something on purpose.
She's a Houdini, always escaping chores.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
Used metaphorically to describe someone very elusive or adept at avoiding responsibility.
Whenever there's work to do, Bob turns into a Houdini.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Context
Common in casual conversation, may not be suitable for formal writing.
He pulled a Houdini and skipped the meeting.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Sometimes implies irresponsibility or avoiding something on purpose.
She's a Houdini, always escaping chores.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
Used metaphorically to describe someone very elusive or adept at avoiding responsibility.
Whenever there's work to do, Bob turns into a Houdini.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Context
Common in casual conversation, may not be suitable for formal writing.
He pulled a Houdini and skipped the meeting.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Sometimes implies irresponsibility or avoiding something on purpose.
She's a Houdini, always escaping chores.
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Quote examples
Criss Angel
American Entertainer
Houdini connected to people on an emotional level so that when he would escape that straight jacket it wasn't about the straight jacket. It was about people looking at it and escaping poverty. When you have that it's the truest form of magic.
Quote examples
Criss Angel
American Entertainer
Houdini connected to people on an emotional level so that when he would escape that straight jacket it wasn't about the straight jacket. It was about people looking at it and escaping poverty. When you have that it's the truest form of magic.
Example 1 of 1
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