Sleight of hand vs. Slight of hand

Sleight of hand

/slaɪt əv hænd/

A skillful trick or deception, especially using quick movements of the hands

Examples:

The magician's sleight of hand left the audience in awe.She persuaded them with the sleight of hand of a skilled negotiator.His political strategy was a sleight of hand, diverting attention.

Synonyms:

legerdemainprestidigitationmagicjugglingconjuring

Antonyms:

clumsinessawkwardness

Slight of hand

/ˌslaɪt əv ˈhænd/

A quick or deceptive movement with hands to perform a trick or hide something.

Examples:

With a simple slight of hand, he made the coin vanish.Unbeknownst to the crowd, her slight of hand was flawless.Magicians rely heavily on the art of slight of hand.

Synonyms:

deceptiontrickerylegerdemainillusionmagic

Antonyms:

honestyopenness

Ways to tell them apart:

• Sleight of hand is a phrase associated with magic tricks and deception, while slight of hand is incorrect usage.
• Remember that sleight is a common term in magic circles, making it fitting for tricks and illusions; slight usually means small or insignificant.
• Consider the phrase sleight of hand as specialized jargon, where sleight is linked to dexterity and skill, much like the dexterous hands of a magician.