* A clever trick or strategy: This is the most common usage. Characters often employ ruses to gain an advantage in the Games, such as when Katniss uses a distraction to escape a dangerous situation, or when she pretends to be friendly to manipulate others.
* A deception: This is often related to the first meaning. Ruses can involve misdirection, false promises, or even faking an injury to lure an opponent into a trap.
Here are some examples of how "ruse" is used in the book:
* "I'm going to have to come up with a ruse. Something that will get me away from the Careers but still keep me alive." (Katniss, referring to her plan to escape the Careers)
* "The Careers' camp was a giant ruse, a trap to lure other tributes into their clutches." (Gale, describing the Careers' strategy)
* "They were all so wrapped up in their own little games of power, they didn't even see the ruse coming." (Haymitch, referring to the Capitol's manipulation of the tributes)
In essence, "ruse" in "The Hunger Games" is a tool for survival, manipulation, and gaining an edge over opponents in the deadly arena. It often involves deception and a clever mind to outsmart the competition.