con game

American  

noun

Slang.

1. confidence game.

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Etymology

Origin of con game

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Great acting is a con game, of the highest order, and it’s a pleasure to be Moore’s mark.

From Seattle Times

Durant was a con game presented by the front office — even if they were conning themselves.

From Washington Times

Her worst obstacle is the skepticism of her new neighbors, who fear she’s running a con game, but this allows Belorusets one of her best wisecracks.

From Washington Post

Even by the low standards of the con game, Julia Lyons stands out as one of the most diabolical.

From Salon

Instead we get an extremely neat, generally perky, overly cautious take on a musical that, being about the con game of love and music, needs more danger in the telling.

From New York Times