sleight of hand /ˌslaɪt əv ˈhænd/ noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: sleight 'skill, trick' (13-20 centuries) from Old Norse slœgth, from slœgr; ⇒ sly]

1. the use of quick and skilful movements with your hands when doing a magic trick, so that people cannot understand how you did the trick

2. the use of skilful tricks and lies in order to deceive someone

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

sleight of hand
1.
ways of deceiving people which you need skill to do.
Some mathematical sleight of hand was required to make the figures add up.

2.
quick, clever movements of your hands, especially when performing magic tricks.
With impressive sleight of hand he produced two pigeons out of his top hat.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲