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mug's game

American  

noun

  1. a foolish, useless, or ill-advised venture.


Etymology

Origin of mug's game

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You are comparing yourself to others, and that’s a mug’s game.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 14, 2025

There will be understandable complaints about that, but second-guessing Clarke's mind is a mug's game.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2023

If there’s an enduring truism about corporate promises to do well by doing good, it’s that believing them is a mug’s game.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2023

Predicting the outcome of national elections can be a mug's game.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2023

Also it's a mug's game, and I don't want to be a mug.

From Mr. Prohack by Bennett, Arnold

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