ENGLISH
REFERENCE

play the gender card

idiom
Meaning

To assert that sexism is involved in a situation, especially in order to exploit sexist or antisexist attitudes.


Examples
SIMPLE

She accused him of playing the gender card to win the argument.

CONTEXTUAL

When the manager criticized her performance, she claimed he was playing the gender card to avoid admitting his own bias.

COMPLEX

Critics argued that the politician was merely playing the gender card to deflect legitimate scrutiny regarding her controversial policy decisions during the heated debate.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    card of ten

    A bold front, an instance of standing one's ground.

  2. 02

    child's play

    Something particularly easy or simple.

  3. 03

    drawing card

    Synonym of drawcard (“something that attracts patronage to a place or an event”).

  4. 04

    gender bender

    A person who dresses in the clothes of another sex, or in clothes which make their gender identity ambiguous.

  5. 05

    get out of jail free card

    A certain privilege or advantage that provides relief from an undesirable situation or immunity from punishment or consequences.

  6. 06

    go play in the traffic

    To go elsewhere and feel free to engage in risky behavior; to get lost.

  7. 07

    grandstand play

    A successful play or other manoeuvre during a sporting competition in which one or more players shows off unnecessarily in order to entertain or impress the spectators.

  8. 08

    hold-up play

    A play where an attacker retains possession of the ball, while the teammates can move up the field.

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