house of cards

noun phrase

: a structure, situation, or institution that is insubstantial, shaky, or in constant danger of collapse

Examples of house of cards in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Smith rejected a $3 billion offer from Disney (of all companies) in order to let Vice grow organically, only to turn the brand into a house of cards held up by fake traffic numbers, backwards-facing business models, and an insatiable lust for profit. —

David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2024 Four thick, square bronze slabs, each pierced by a circular hole, are stacked atop a rectilinear base like a precarious house of cards. —

Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024 To speculate on such matters in a situation as fluid as this is like trying to build a house of cards in a whitewater raft. —

M.l. Elrick, Detroit Free Press, 21 July 2024 Hwang lost it all in March 2021 after the forerunner of Paramount shocked markets with a surprise share sale which brought down his house of cards. —

Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 11 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for house of cards

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'house of cards.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of house of cards was in 1645

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“House of cards.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/house%20of%20cards. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.

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