mastermind

Everyday

1. A very clever person who plans something difficult, especially the person who plans a crime or a big scheme. tree →
2. (verb) To plan and organise something difficult and clever. tree →
3. (UK) Mastermind is a famous TV quiz show with a black chair. tree →

In the lessons

In detective stories the villain is often a criminal mastermind; heroes may mastermind a rescue. In The Wind in the Willows the Badger masterminds the plan to win back Toad Hall from the stoats and weasels through the secret tunnel. In school we may call a top quiz player «a mastermind».

Examples

• The detective finally caught the mastermind behind the robbery. tree →
• Badger masterminded the attack on Toad Hall. tree →
• My sister masterminded a surprise party for Mum. tree →
• Who is the mastermind behind this clever trick? tree →
• She is a maths mastermind. tree →
• The mastermind of the plan stayed hidden in the shadows. tree →

Note

Countable noun; the verb is regular (masterminded). Often used about bad plans (crimes), but can be positive too.