house of cards

noun

1. a structure or plan that is insubstantial and subject to imminent collapse, as a structure made by balancing playing cards against each other.

   The scheme is so overly complicated that it's likely to prove to be just another house of cards.

house of cards

noun

1. a tiered structure created by balancing playing cards on their edges

2. an unstable situation, plan, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of house of cards¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Idioms and Phrases

A weak and fragile structure, plan, or organization, as in Her scheme to reorganize the school sounds like another house of cards, or Jerry built his entire business on what turned out to be a house of cards. This metaphoric expression alludes to the structure made by balancing playing cards against one another. [First half of 1600s]

Example Sentences

In other words, it’s a house of cards.

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Jas believed it was only a matter of time before the house of cards came tumbling down.

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The Fed either backs it or admits the system was always a house of cards.

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He also claimed it "collapses the house of cards that Tameside is her primary home".

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Nevertheless, South Africa would have been happy with their position heading into the interval only to be blown away like a house of cards in a hurricane.

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Related Words

• chiffon 
• decrepit 
• feeble 
• insubstantial 
• rickety 
• shaky 
• tacky