work the angles
Maneuver for benefit
To work the angles is to exploit every possible advantage in a situation, often through clever maneuvering or strategic positioning.
The phrase suggests finding opportunities others might miss—approaching a problem from multiple directions rather than head-on: He's always working the angles to get ahead.
It can imply shrewdness bordering on manipulation.
- calculateDetermine through math
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- game the systemManipulate rules strategically
- strategizeDevise a plan
- optimizeMake maximally effective
hedge your bets · maneuver · scheme · manipulate · navigate · know the ropes · plan · cover all bases · leveraging · cunning · self-interest · pull strings · grease the wheels · resourcefulness · lateral thinking · opportunism · bend the rules · cut corners
work the anglesplay it straight
Behave honestly, without guile
be honest · play fair · play by the rules · lay one's cards on the table · tell it like it is
work, works, worked, working, worker, workers, workable, unworkable, workings