shell game
noun
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The shell game, a swindling trick in which a small ball or pea is quickly shifted from under one to another of three walnut shells or cups to fool the spectator guessing its location, is a version of one of the oldest and most widespread forms of sleight of hand. Conjurers have performed this trick, which is also called the cups and balls trick and thimblerig, throughout the world for centuries. The version that became popular in the United States in the late 19th century used walnut shells and peas. Shell game thus became the popular term for the trick, and the trick itself became so well known that the term is now used figuratively to describe dishonest actions that are done to deceive people.
Examples of shell game in a Sentence
Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2025
Because Florida officials knew the insurance companies were playing this financial shell game years ago.
—Scott Maxwell, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025
This is the shell game designed to hide a huge shift in resources to benefit men’s football and basketball.
—Donna Lopiano, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
If Coen fails to deliver in Jacksonville, he will be remembered as the guy who torpedoed his own career while playing a shell game.
—John Romano, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shell game
Cite this Entry
“Shell game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20game. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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