employ a strategy
/ɪmˈplɔɪ ə ˈstrætədʒi/
Meaning
This expression means to adopt, use, or put a specific plan or method into action to achieve a goal. It is commonly used in professional, academic, or structured personal contexts (like financial planning or fitness regimes) where deliberate planning is required. The tone is professional, objective, and organized.
Examples
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To manage my time better, I had to employ a strategy of blocking out my calendar.
To manage my time better, I had to employ a strategy of blocking out my calendar.
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The company decided to employ a strategy focused on digital marketing to boost sales.
The company decided to employ a strategy focused on digital marketing to boost sales.
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If you want to save money for a house, you need to employ a strict saving strategy.
If you want to save money for a house, you need to employ a strict saving strategy.
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She had to employ a creative strategy to resolve the conflict between her teammates.
She had to employ a creative strategy to resolve the conflict between her teammates.
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The coach decided to employ a defensive strategy for the second half of the game.
The coach decided to employ a defensive strategy for the second half of the game.
Common Mistakes
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✗ We need to use a strategy of saving money.
✓ We need to employ a strategy of saving money.
While 'use' is grammatically correct, 'employ a strategy' is the preferred formal collocation in professional and academic writing.
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✗ He employed a strategy to doing his homework.
✓ He employed a strategy to do his homework.
The infinitive 'to do' should follow 'strategy' when indicating purpose, not the gerund 'doing'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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To improve our team's communication, we should ___ that involves weekly check-ins.
💡 Use a formal phrase meaning to put a plan into action
Show answer
employ a strategy
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She managed to reduce her stress levels because she decided to ___ of daily meditation.
💡 Use a formal phrase meaning to use a specific method
Show answer
employ a strategy