noun
fine craftsmanship; delicate handiwork
Refers to intricate, small-scale workmanship, often in crafts or detailed manual work.
この彫刻には細かい小細工が施されている。
This carving has intricate fine workmanship.
noun
cheap trick; petty scheme; obvious ploy
Used for underhanded or transparently petty tricks, often in a negative sense. Common in phrases like 小細工をする (to pull a cheap trick).
彼の小細工はすぐに見破られた。
His petty trick was quickly seen through.
そんな小細工をしても無駄だ。
It's useless to try such cheap tricks.