ENGLISH
REFERENCE

play the Nazi card

idiom
Meaning

To invoke the reductio ad Hitlerum argument in a dialogue or debate.


Examples
SIMPLE

He tried to play the Nazi card to win the argument.

CONTEXTUAL

When the debate became heated, the politician decided to play the Nazi card rather than address the actual policy.

COMPLEX

By choosing to play the Nazi card during the discussion, he effectively ended any chance of a reasonable or logical 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

    get out of jail free card

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

  5. 05

    go play in the traffic

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

  6. 06

    grammar Nazi

    A person who habitually criticizes the grammar and (often) usage in others' speech or writing, often in ways that are sometimes not even linguistically accurate.

  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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