gambling

• Spill the beans

  To reveal a secret or confidential information, often unintentionally or prematurely.

• Pass the buck

  To evade responsibility for a problem or task by shifting it to someone else.

• Buckley's chance

  An extremely small or nonexistent probability of success.

• Make a killing

  To earn a very large amount of money, often quickly and easily.

• Get Cold Feet

  To suddenly become nervous or fearful about something one was planning to do, often causing one to abandon it.

• Call Someone's Bluff

  To challenge someone to prove a claim or threat that you suspect is false or exaggerated.

• A dark horse

  An individual or entity that was previously unknown or underestimated, but unexpectedly achieves success or prominence.

• On a roll

  To be experiencing a period of continuous success or good fortune.

• In the cards

  Something that is likely or destined to happen, often due to existing circumstances or predictions.

• Against all odds

  Succeeding or happening despite extremely unfavorable circumstances or a very low chance of success.

• Close but no cigar

  This phrase describes a situation where someone has come very near to achieving success but has ultimately failed.

• Dead ringer

  Someone or something that looks exactly like another person or thing.

• Give the game away

  To inadvertently reveal a secret, a plan, or a surprise, often spoiling it for others.

• Keep your cards close to your chest

  To carefully guard your plans, intentions, or valuable information, preventing others from discovering them.

• Lay your cards on the table

  To reveal your true intentions, plans, or all the facts openly and honestly.

• Put your money where your mouth is

  Prove the sincerity of your claims or beliefs by being willing to act on them, especially by spending money or making a commitment.

• Show your hand

  To reveal one's true intentions, plans, or resources, especially after keeping them secret.

• Read 'em and weep

  This phrase is used to announce a decisive victory or to present undeniable proof of one's superiority, often with a touch of triumphant taunting.

• Cash in your chips

  To conclude one's involvement in an activity, often to realize a profit or secure gains, especially after a period of success.

• Don't try to put one over on me

  This phrase is a warning not to attempt to deceive, trick, or take advantage of the speaker.

• Don't try to pull a fast one on me

  It's a warning not to try to trick or deceive the speaker, especially to gain an unfair advantage.

• Go big or go home

  To commit completely and enthusiastically to an endeavor, risking failure rather than holding back.

• Bet your bottom dollar

  To be absolutely certain of something, indicating strong conviction or confidence.

• Ante up

  To pay one's required share, especially at the start of an activity, or to prepare to meet a challenge.

• A long shot

  An attempt or venture that has only a slight chance of success.

• Bet the farm

  To risk everything one owns or possesses on a single venture or outcome.

• All bets are off

  This phrase means that previous plans, agreements, or certainties are no longer valid, and the situation has become entirely unpredictable.

• Bet against the house

  To take a position contrary to a powerful, established entity, often implying a high risk or low chance of success.

• Bet on the wrong horse

  To make an incorrect choice or support a person or thing that ultimately fails.

• Against the odds

  To succeed or achieve something despite very unfavorable circumstances or a low probability of success.

• At stake

  Refers to something that is at risk of being lost or gained, often implying significant importance or consequences.

• Bet on a sure thing

  To invest effort or resources into something that is guaranteed to succeed.

• Call a bluff

  To challenge someone to prove a claim or threat that you suspect is untrue or exaggerated.

• Chance your arm

  To take a risk or attempt something difficult, often with a low probability of success.

• Come up trumps

  To achieve a surprisingly good or successful outcome, often when least expected or in a challenging situation.

• Beginner's luck

  Unforeseen or unusual success experienced by a person who is new to a particular activity.

• Crap shoot

  A situation or undertaking whose outcome is entirely unpredictable and largely dependent on chance.

• Deal from the bottom of the deck

  To act unfairly or dishonestly, often through concealed methods, to gain an advantage.

• Chip in

  To contribute money, effort, or an item to a shared purpose or collective fund.

• Cut one's losses

  To stop an unsuccessful activity or venture to prevent further detriment, expenditure, or damage.

• Deal someone in

  To include someone in a game, activity, or discussion, often by giving them a share or opportunity to participate.

• Dealt a good hand

  To be given a fortunate set of circumstances or advantages in life.

• Dealt a bad hand

  To be faced with an unfortunate set of circumstances or disadvantages from the outset.

• Double down

  To significantly increase one's commitment, risk, or efforts in a particular situation, often in the face of previous setbacks or to achieve a more substantial outcome.

• Don't bet on it

  It means that something is unlikely to happen or that you should not rely on it.

• Fade a bet

  To bet against someone else's selection, particularly when you believe their choice is incorrect or ill-advised.

• Everything is on the line

  This idiom signifies a situation where all success, reputation, or future prospects are at stake and could be gained or lost.

• Feel lucky

  To have a strong intuition or belief that good fortune is currently on one's side, often leading to a sense of optimism or gratitude.

• Get a raw deal

  To receive unfair or harsh treatment, especially in a negotiation or distribution of resources.

• Fold one's hand

  To withdraw from a game, contest, or situation by giving up one's participation or effort.

• Go all in

  To commit completely to a course of action, risking everything for a potential gain.

• Get a run for your money

  To face strong competition or a significant challenge that tests your abilities and requires considerable effort to overcome.

• High stakes

  Referring to a situation or activity where the potential outcomes involve great risk, significant consequences, or substantial reward.

• Dice with death

  To engage in extremely dangerous activities where there is a high risk of being killed.

• Hedge your bets

  To reduce the risk of a significant loss or failure by making smaller, offsetting commitments or investments in alternative outcomes.

• Hit the jackpot

  To achieve a significant and sudden success, often involving a large amount of money or a highly desirable outcome.

• In the chips

  To be financially prosperous or have a significant amount of money.

• Have an ace up one's sleeve

  To possess a secret advantage or hidden resource that can be deployed at a crucial moment.

• Have a good hand

  To possess a strong or advantageous set of cards in a game, or metaphorically, to be in a favourable position with many advantages or opportunities.

• Hold all the cards

  To have all the advantages or be in a position of complete control in a situation.

• In the hole

  To be in debt, owe money, or have a financial deficit.

• Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em

  To understand the opportune time to persist in a situation and the moment to withdraw or concede.

• It's a gamble

  This phrase describes a situation or decision that involves significant risk with an uncertain outcome.

• Lose your shirt

  To lose a large sum of money, often to the point of financial ruin, typically through a bad investment or gambling.

• Lay odds

  To state the probability of something happening or to offer a wager against a particular outcome.

• Losing hand

  A losing hand refers to a situation or set of circumstances that is almost certain to result in failure or defeat.

• Luck out

  To experience an unexpectedly favorable outcome or acquire something through pure chance.

• Life's a gamble

  This phrase suggests that life is full of inherent risks, uncertainties, and unpredictable outcomes, much like a game of chance.

• No dice

  An expression indicating that an attempt was unsuccessful or a request has been denied.

• Luck of the draw

  A situation where the outcome is entirely dependent on chance, rather than skill or choice.

• Let the chips fall where they may

  To allow events to unfold naturally and accept the consequences, whatever they may be, without attempting to control the outcome.

• Poker face

  An expressionless facial appearance that reveals no thoughts or emotions, often used to conceal one's true feelings or intentions.

• Play your cards right

  To handle a situation skillfully or wisely in order to achieve a favorable outcome.

• Push one's luck

  To continue to do something risky or potentially detrimental, especially after a period of success or good fortune, thereby increasing the chance of a negative outcome.

• Play the percentages

  To make decisions or take actions based on what is statistically most likely to succeed or be advantageous.

• Play it safe

  To act cautiously and avoid taking risks or exposing oneself to danger or potential problems.

• Raise the stakes

  To increase the risk, importance, or potential consequences of a situation or action.

• Run a bluff

  To deceive someone by pretending to be in a stronger position or to possess more knowledge or resources than one actually does, often to gain an advantage.

• Roll the dice

  To take a chance or make a decision that involves significant risk and an unpredictable outcome.

• Sweeten the pot

  To make an offer or proposal more attractive by adding extra incentives or benefits, often in a negotiation.

• Run out of luck

  To experience a continuous streak of misfortune or bad outcomes, indicating that one's good fortune has been entirely depleted.

• Take a punt

  To take a risk or make a speculative guess, often with a potential reward but no guarantee of success.

• Stack the deck against someone

  To unfairly manipulate circumstances or conditions, making it highly probable that someone will fail or be disadvantaged.

• Take a flier

  To take a risk or a chance on something, often with uncertain prospects for success.

• Take the odds

  To accept a challenge or risk despite having a low probability of success.

• Take a chance

  To do something risky with the hope of a positive outcome.

• The dice are loaded

  This phrase signifies that a situation is unfairly biased or rigged, making it impossible for someone to succeed fairly.

• Take a gamble

  To take a risk in the hope of achieving a desirable outcome.

• The odds are stacked against you

  The circumstances or chances of success are overwhelmingly unfavorable.

• The house always wins

  This phrase signifies that the institution operating a game of chance will inevitably profit in the long run due to a built-in mathematical advantage.

• When the chips are down

  This phrase describes a critical situation or a moment of great difficulty and pressure.

• Wagering a guess

  To make an estimate or a prediction, often without complete certainty, as if placing a small bet on its accuracy.

• To bet one's life on something

  To be extremely confident or certain about something, as if one's life depended on its truth or success.

• Ace up your sleeve

  A secret advantage or plan that one keeps hidden until the most opportune moment.

• At sixes and sevens

  To be in a state of confusion, disorder, or disagreement.

• Play one's cards right

  To handle a situation or a set of opportunities skillfully and strategically to achieve a desired outcome.

• Shuffle the deck

  To rearrange people, resources, or plans in a situation to create a new dynamic or outcome.

• Lay one's cards on the table

  To reveal one's true intentions, plans, or the full facts of a situation openly and honestly.

• Deal a bad hand

  To put someone in a disadvantageous or unfortunate situation, often due to circumstances beyond their control.

• Stack the deck

  To unfairly arrange circumstances, facts, or evidence to ensure a particular outcome, usually in one's own favor.

• Have an ace in the hole

  To possess a secret advantage or resource that can be revealed at a crucial moment.

• The cards are stacked against you

  You are in a situation where the odds are heavily unfavorable, making success extremely difficult or impossible.

• Loaded dice

  A situation or system in which the odds are unfairly manipulated to ensure a particular outcome, making true fairness impossible.

• Show one's hand

  To reveal one's true intentions, plans, or resources, especially after keeping them hidden.

• Play one's trump card

  To use one's most powerful advantage or resource at a crucial moment to achieve success.

• A crapshoot

  A situation or undertaking that has an unpredictable outcome and involves a high degree of risk, much like a game of chance.

• Cash in one's chips

  To conclude one's participation in an activity, typically gambling, by exchanging tokens for money, or to metaphorically and euphemistically die.

• Beat the odds

  To achieve success or overcome a challenge despite extremely unfavorable or improbable circumstances.

• Hedge one's bets

  To reduce one's risk of significant loss by supporting more than one outcome or by taking precautions against potential failure.

• Lady Luck

  Lady Luck is the personification of chance, fortune, or destiny, often invoked to explain unexpected outcomes or in situations of risk.

• In spades

  To have something in spades means to possess it in great abundance, to an extreme degree, or in overwhelmingly large quantities.

• Play the odds

  To make a decision or take an action based on the probabilities of success or failure, often involving risk.

• Play your hand

  To take action or reveal one's strategy using the resources or information currently available.

• Ace up one's sleeve

  A secret advantage or plan that one keeps hidden until the most opportune moment to use it.

• Bet one's bottom dollar

  To be extremely confident or certain about something.

• Hold 'em close to your chest

  To keep information, plans, or intentions secret and private, often to maintain an advantage or surprise.

• Close to the vest

  To keep information secret and private, not revealing one's true intentions or plans.

• Call one's bluff

  To challenge someone to prove a claim or threat, implying that one does not believe they can or will follow through.

• Be dealt a bad hand

  To face a set of unfortunate circumstances or a disadvantaged position that is largely beyond one's control.

• Play one's hand

  To deal with a situation or make decisions based on the resources or circumstances one has available.

• To have an ace up your sleeve

  To possess a secret advantage, plan, or resource that can be revealed at a crucial moment.

• To stand pat

  To maintain one's current position, decision, or course of action without making any changes, especially when under pressure to do otherwise.

• To keep a poker face

  To maintain an impassive expression that reveals no emotion or intention.

• To bluff your way through

  To succeed in a situation by pretending to have more skill, knowledge, or confidence than one actually possesses.

• A wild card

  A person or thing whose influence or nature is unpredictable and could significantly alter a situation.

• To tip your hand

  To unintentionally reveal your intentions, plans, or advantages, often giving an opponent an unexpected insight.

• The odds are against you

  It means that the likelihood of success is low, or the circumstances make it very difficult to achieve a favorable outcome.

• To push your luck

  To take unnecessary risks, especially after a period of good fortune, thereby increasing the chance of a negative outcome.

• A sure bet

  Something that is almost certain to happen or succeed.

• To hold all the aces

  To possess all the advantages or control in a given situation, making success almost certain.

• To be a crapshoot

  To be a situation or outcome that is entirely uncertain and dependent on luck, with unpredictable chances of success or failure.

• The dice are cast

  A decisive and irreversible step has been taken, and the consequences must now unfold.

• To be on a losing streak

  To experience a continuous period of failures, defeats, or bad luck.

• To be on a winning streak

  To experience a continuous period of success or a series of consecutive victories.

• To fold your hand

  To withdraw from an activity, challenge, or competition, especially when faced with unfavorable circumstances or a perceived losing position.

• To come up aces

  To achieve outstanding success or produce exceptionally good results.

• Hedging one's bets

  To reduce the risk of losing heavily by diversifying one's choices or actions, or by making a counteracting arrangement.

• High roller

  A high roller is a person who gambles large amounts of money, or more broadly, someone who operates with a high level of risk for significant gain.

• Deal someone out

  To exclude someone from participation in a game, activity, or group.

• Hold cards close to one's chest

  To keep one's plans, intentions, or knowledge secret and private.

• Not playing with a full deck

  To not be playing with a full deck means someone is lacking in intelligence or common sense, or is behaving in a foolish or irrational way.

• Lucky streak

  A period of continuous good fortune or success, especially in gambling or competitive activities.

• A trick up one's sleeve

  To have a secret plan, advantage, or resource that one can use when needed, especially in a challenging or decisive situation.

• Keep something up one's sleeve

  To have a secret plan, advantage, or resource concealed and ready to be used when the time is right.

• Lose one's shirt

  To lose a significant amount or all of one's money or assets, often through financial misfortune, bad investments, or gambling.

• All in

  Completely committed to an endeavor or thoroughly exhausted.

• Keep one's cards close to one's chest

  To be secretive about one's plans, intentions, or true feelings, revealing very little to others.

• Throw the dice

  To take a risk or make a decision that relies on chance or an unknown outcome.

• A trump card

  A trump card is a powerful asset or advantage that can be used to achieve success, especially in a challenging or competitive situation.

• The chips are down

  The situation is critical or difficult, often implying that serious action or a decision is required.

• Double or nothing

  To risk all current winnings or a previous stake on a new gamble with the aim of either doubling them or losing everything.

• Straight as a die

  Completely and absolutely straight, without any curves or deviations.

• Play for high stakes

  To engage in an activity or situation where the potential outcomes, both positive and negative, are significant and impactful.

• A safe bet

  Something that is very likely to happen, succeed, or be true.

• Like taking candy from a baby

  This phrase describes an action or task that is incredibly easy to accomplish, often due to an unfair advantage or the complete lack of resistance.

• Have something up your sleeve

  To have a secret plan, advantage, or resource that you are keeping hidden until the right moment.

• Break the bank

  To spend an excessive amount of money, often to the point of depleting one's funds entirely or exceeding a reasonable budget.

• Blue chip

  A blue chip refers to a company or stock that is well-established, financially sound, and generally considered a safe and reliable investment.

• Cut your losses

  To abandon a failing venture or unprofitable activity to prevent further negative consequences or expenditure.

• The odds are stacked against someone

  The circumstances or probabilities are extremely unfavorable, making success very difficult to achieve.

• Cards are on the table

  All information, intentions, or conditions are openly revealed and available for everyone to see and consider.

• Have an ace to play

  To possess a crucial advantage or a secret plan that can be used at the right time.

• An ace in the hole

  A hidden advantage or secret resource that can be used at a crucial moment.

• Be in the chips

  To be wealthy, financially secure, or to have a significant amount of money.

• Play one's cards close to one's chest

  To keep one's plans, intentions, or information private and hidden from others.

• Play a wild card

  To take an unconventional or unexpected action to gain an advantage, often in a difficult or uncertain situation.

• Be dealt a good hand

  To be given an advantageous set of circumstances or opportunities from the beginning.

• Overplay one's hand

  To act with excessive confidence or ambition, going beyond one's true capabilities or advantageous position, which ultimately leads to failure or loss.

• Trump something

  To surpass, outshine, or decisively defeat something or someone, often with a superior quality or action.

• Put one's cards on the table

  To reveal one's true intentions, plans, or resources in an open and honest manner, often to facilitate discussion or resolution.

• Press one's luck

  To continue taking risks after a period of success, potentially jeopardizing previous gains.

• Have something up one's sleeve

  To possess a secret plan, advantage, or resource kept hidden for future use.

• Lose the shirt off one's back

  To lose absolutely everything one owns, typically through financial misfortune or reckless activity.

• Betting on a dark horse

  To support or invest in a candidate, competitor, or venture that is not widely known or expected to win but has the potential for unexpected success.

• Hold 'em or fold 'em

  It means to either commit fully to a course of action or to completely withdraw from it, often in a situation with significant risk.

• Russian roulette

  A highly dangerous and reckless action with an unpredictable, potentially fatal outcome, often likened to the deadly game of chance involving a revolver.

• The odds are against one

  It is unlikely that a desired outcome will occur, or that one will succeed, due to unfavorable circumstances or low probability.

• Cards are stacked against one

  Circumstances or conditions are unfairly biased and unfavorable, making success extremely difficult or impossible.

• Back the wrong horse

  To support a person, idea, or cause that ultimately proves unsuccessful or disadvantageous.

• To play your cards close to your chest

  To keep your intentions, plans, or advantages secret and not reveal them to others.

• To bet against the odds

  To take a risk or support something that has a very low chance of success.

• To be out of luck

  To no longer have any good fortune, opportunity, or a chance for a positive outcome.

• Bet

  Used informally to express agreement, affirmation, or certainty.

• Strike it rich

  To suddenly and unexpectedly acquire a large amount of wealth or achieve great financial success.

• Dead man's hand

  A poker hand consisting of two pairs—black aces and black eights—famously associated with the cards held by Wild Bill Hickok when he was murdered.

• Go bust

  To suffer complete financial failure, often leading to the closure of a business.

• Keep it close to your chest

  To keep information, plans, or intentions secret and private, not revealing them to others.

• Hitting the jackpot

  To achieve a sudden and spectacular success, often involving a significant financial gain or an exceptionally fortunate outcome.

• A run of bad luck

  A period during which a person experiences a continuous series of unfortunate events or outcomes.

• A roll of the dice

  An action or decision involving a high degree of risk and an unpredictable outcome, dependent mostly on chance.

• Hit or miss

  Referring to something that is unpredictable in quality or outcome, with an equal chance of being either very good or very bad.

• Fifty-fifty

  Divided into two equal parts or shares, or having an equal chance of success or failure.

• A toss-up

  A situation where the outcome is equally uncertain, with either option having an equal chance of success or occurrence.

• A game of chance

  An activity whose outcome is primarily determined by luck or random events rather than skill or strategy.

• A sure thing

  Something that is absolutely certain to happen or succeed as expected.

• To be down on one's luck

  To be experiencing a period of misfortune, bad luck, or difficult circumstances.

• A sucker born every minute

  This cynical saying suggests that gullible people are constantly appearing, making it easy for others to exploit them.

• Grand slam

  A grand slam refers to achieving a comprehensive and decisive victory, particularly by winning all major championships or significant components of a competition.

• Winning streak

  A continuous series of victories, successes, or fortunate events.

• A dead cert

  Something that is absolutely certain to happen, succeed, or be true.

• You can bet on it

  It means something is absolutely certain or highly reliable.

• Stab in the dark

  To make a wild guess or an attempt without any real information or knowledge, hoping by chance to be correct or successful.

• A ghost of a chance

  A ghost of a chance refers to an extremely small or remote possibility of something happening or succeeding.

• A card up one's sleeve

  To have a secret plan, advantage, or resource held in reserve for a strategic moment.

• A winning hand

  A set of circumstances, advantages, or assets that ensures success or victory in a particular situation.

• A bargaining chip

  Something used as an advantage or concession to achieve a desired outcome in a negotiation.

• Dark horse

  A competitor or candidate whose abilities or potential are not publicly known but who surprises others with unexpected success.

• Trump card

  A decisive advantage, resource, or strategy held in reserve and used to win or achieve a desired outcome.

• Card up one's sleeve

  A secret plan or advantage that one keeps hidden until the opportune moment.

• Playing your cards close to your chest

  To keep one's intentions, plans, or resources secret and concealed from others.

• To lay all your cards on the table

  To reveal all one's facts, intentions, or resources openly and honestly without reservation.

• Defy the odds

  To succeed or achieve something remarkable despite facing extremely low probabilities or highly unfavorable circumstances.

• Go for broke

  To risk everything in a desperate attempt to achieve a goal, accepting the possibility of complete failure or ruin.

• A shell game

  A shell game is a deceptive scheme or trick, often involving misdirection, designed to cheat or mislead someone.

• To have something up one's sleeve

  To possess a secret plan, advantage, or resource that is being kept hidden for future use, often to gain an advantage or surprise someone.

• A joker in the pack

  Someone or something unpredictable or potentially disruptive that can unexpectedly change the outcome of a situation.

• To keep one's cards close to one's chest

  To deliberately conceal one's plans, intentions, or information from others.

• Above board

  To be conducted in a legitimate, honest, and open manner without any deception.

• A poker face

  An impassive expression that conceals one's true thoughts or feelings.

• In jeopardy

  To be in a situation where something is at risk of harm, loss, or failure.

• On the line

  Something important is at stake or in danger, with a critical outcome pending.

• Against great odds

  To succeed or achieve something despite facing extremely difficult and improbable circumstances.

• Put your money on the wrong horse

  To make a poor choice or support a person or thing that ultimately fails or proves to be a bad investment.

• Your call

  The decision or responsibility for a particular action rests solely with you.

• Backing the wrong horse

  To support or invest in a person, idea, or enterprise that ultimately fails or proves to be unsuccessful.