stack the cards
To surreptitiously arrange something in order to gain an unfair advantage, or to alter an outcome
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“They stacked the cards to win the game.”
“The company stacked the cards against new employees by changing the contract rules without warning.”
“By controlling the media and limiting the opposition's access to funding, the regime effectively stacked the cards to ensure a favorable election result.”
- 01
few cards shy of a full deck
Mentally deranged; demented; insane.
- 02
give someone their cards
To dismiss someone from employment; to fire or make redundant.
- 03
hand someone their cards
To dismiss someone from employment; to fire or make redundant.
- 04
hold the cards
To be in a strong position, possessing significant advantages over someone else; to be in control of a situation involving multiple parties.
- 05
house of cards
A structure or argument built on a shaky foundation.
- 06
keep one's cards close to one's chest
To avoid revealing one's thoughts, circumstances, or plans.
- 07
play all one's cards
To use all one's resources.
- 08
play one's cards right
To act correctly; to make the right moves.
Last updated August 10, 2026