wiles

A wile is a trick or scheme, often clever and sneaky. It's something used to deceive or outsmart someone.

When people talk about using a wile, they usually mean it in a clever way - like coming up with a plan to get what you want without getting caught. For example, let's say your friend wants to convince their sibling to do chores by promising them a treat. But instead of just saying "do the dishes and I'll give you ice cream", they come up with a wile, like pretending the sibling has won a reward on a game show for being responsible. It's not necessarily mean-spirited, but it is a bit sneaky.