use/play the race/gender card

idiom

: to make a claim that race/gender was unjustly considered as a reason for the way a person was treated
She was accused of playing the race card to defend her client.
She used/played the gender card and said we didn't hire her because she's a woman.

Examples of use/play the race/gender card in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
That was frequent, the source of much poverty, and one reason why politicians who play the race card prohibit teaching critical race theory. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2024

Dictionary Entries Near use/play the race/gender card

use one's noggin

use/play the race/gender card

user

Cite this Entry

“Use/play the race/gender card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/use%2Fplay%20the%20race%2Fgender%20card. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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