[stack] the (cards|deck)
1
to arrange situations or conditions to achieve a preferred result by giving oneself an unfair advantage
The idiom "stack the cards" originated from the practice of arranging a deck of playing cards in a way that gives the person manipulating the cards an unfair advantage, typically in card games or gambling situations, with the intent of achieving a desired outcome. This manipulation often involved cheating or deception to ensure a favorable result. Over time, the expression evolved into a figurative idiom to describe any situation where one attempts to unfairly tilt the odds in their favor by arranging or influencing factors or conditions.
- The manager stacked the deck by giving all the best assignments to his favorite employees.
- It's clear that they've stacked the cards against the smaller businesses, making it impossible for them to compete.
- In the political race, the incumbent candidate seemed to have stacked the deck in his favor with extensive campaign funding.
- To ensure their team's victory, the coach was accused of stacking the cards by recruiting the best players from other schools.
- The company's management had stacked the deck by making it nearly impossible for employees to unionize.