contrive
Translation
to devise, to engineer, to manage
Examples
He contrived a clever plan to escape.
He contrived a clever plan to escape.
She contrived to be there when he arrived.
She contrived to be there when he arrived.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to devise or plan (sth.) cleverly He contrived a clever plan to escape.
((to-inf)) to manage to do (sth.) despite difficulties She contrived to be there when he arrived.
Similar Words
Synonyms: devise, invent, scheme, engineer
Etymology
From Old French 'controver' (to find out), from 'con-' (with) + 'trover' (to find).
Memory Tips
Think of 'con' + 'try'. You 'try with' great effort to invent or plan something cleverly.