STACK DECK Meaning and
Definition
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The term "stack deck" is an idiomatic expression derived from the world of playing cards. In its literal sense, a deck represents a complete set of playing cards used in various card games. However, when someone says that the deck is "stacked," it takes on a figurative meaning and refers to a situation where the cards have been arranged in a specific order to give someone an unfair advantage.
To "stack the deck" means to manipulate, arrange, or rig a situation in order to gain an unfair or predetermined advantage. This act is typically done in secret and aims to ensure a desired outcome, often at the expense of others involved in the situation. The phrase is commonly used in contexts beyond card games, such as politics, business, or personal relations, where someone employs deliberate or deceptive tactics to tilt the odds in their favor.
The concept of "stacking the deck" often implies dishonesty, manipulation, or an unfair advantage. It suggests an intention to deceive or exploit others, highlighting a lack of impartiality in the given situation. Moreover, the term emphasizes the idea that the outcome of a situation has been predetermined or predeterminedly influenced, making it difficult for others to achieve a fair or just outcome.
In summary, "stacking the deck" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of arranging or manipulating a situation to ensure an unfair advantage, often in a deceptive or dishonest manner. The term illustrates the intention to predetermine the outcome of a situation, highlighting a lack of fairness or impartiality.
Common Misspellings for STACK DECK
- atack deck
- ztack deck
- xtack deck
- dtack deck
- etack deck
- wtack deck
- srack deck
- sfack deck
- sgack deck
- syack deck
- s6ack deck
- s5ack deck
- stzck deck
- stsck deck
- stwck deck
- stqck deck
- staxk deck
- stavk deck
- stafk deck
- stadk deck
Etymology of STACK DECK
The term "stack the deck" originates from the world of card games, particularly from the act of cheating or manipulating a deck of cards to gain an unfair advantage.
The word "stack" in this phrase refers to the literal action of stacking or arranging cards in a specific order to ensure that certain cards will be dealt to a player or withheld from opponents. By stacking the deck, a person can essentially control the outcome of the game in their favor.
The exact etymology of "stack the deck" is uncertain, as it evolved organically within the gaming community. It is believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century in the United States, associated with various games like poker, blackjack, and even solitaire. The use of the term then expanded metaphorically to refer to any situation where one unfairly manipulates circumstances in their favor, not just in card games.
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