be boxing clever

be boxing clever

To be acting skillfully and cunningly or deceitfully to achieve a desired outcome. Primarily heard in UK. I wasn't boxing clever at the time, so it was easy for the headmaster to see that I had broken the rules. I know you're boxing clever, acting you've been in your room all night and didn't just sneak in the house a few minutes ago. Of course he's boxing clever, that's how he sucks people into his schemes!

See also: boxing, clever

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be boxing clever

BRITISH

If someone is boxing clever, they are being very clever and careful in the way they behave in a difficult situation, so that they can get an advantage for themselves. By boxing clever with your personal tax allowances you could save £900 a year.

See also: boxing, clever

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012