power-play
Aggressive strategic move
A power-play is a strategic maneuver using influence, authority, or force to gain advantage: The merger was a power-play by the CEO to consolidate control.
In hockey, a power-play is the numerical advantage a team gains when the opponent has a player in the penalty box.
Both senses share the idea of leveraging superior position.
Underhanded control of others
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
machination · intrigue · subterfuge · deception · artifice · ruse · stratagem · maneuvering
Punishment for wrongdoing
- short-handedLacking sufficient personnel
- powerhouseSource of great energy
- faceoffDirect competitive confrontation
- slapshotForceful hockey strike
forecheck · netminder · puck · goal · ice · overtime · breakaway · one-timer
Dominant group's control
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- subjugationForcing into submission
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
tyranny · authoritarianism · dictatorship · imperialism · colonialism · despotism · autocracy · totalitarianism
Advocating to decision-makers
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- influencePower to affect others
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- factionGroup within group
leverage · quid-pro-quo · horse-trading · strong-arming · muscle · patronage · kingmaker · alliance
Corporate combination
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
ousting · coup · CEO · executive · stakeholder · micromanagement · intimidation
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
scheme · machination · intrigue · subterfuge · deception · artifice · ruse · stratagem · maneuvering · gamesmanship
penalty
Punishment for wrongdoing
- short-handedLacking sufficient personnel
- powerhouseSource of great energy
- faceoffDirect competitive confrontation
slapshot · forecheck · netminder · puck · goal · ice · overtime · breakaway · one-timer · screening
hegemony
Dominant group's control
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- subjugationForcing into submission
oppression · tyranny · authoritarianism · dictatorship · imperialism · colonialism · despotism · autocracy · totalitarianism · domination
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- influencePower to affect others
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
faction · leverage · quid-pro-quo · horse-trading · strong-arming · muscle · patronage · kingmaker · alliance · maneuvering
merger
Corporate combination
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
restructuring · ousting · coup · CEO · executive · stakeholder · micromanagement · intimidation
power-playcollaboration
Joint intellectual work
compromise · consensus-building · cooperation · mutual agreement · diplomacy
power-playcapitulation
Complete yielding to demands
submission · deference · yielding · acquiescence · surrender
power-playstraightforwardness
Quality of being direct
transparency · honesty · sincerity · candor · openness