pigeon drop

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noun

a confidence game or sleight-of-hand swindle whereby cash is extracted from the victim as collateral for a supposed share in a large sum of discovered money, dishonest profits, or gambling winnings, which in fact are nonexistent.

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Origin of pigeon drop

1935–40, Americanism; so called because such swindles originally began with the dropping of a wallet in front of the intended victim, the pigeon

Words nearby pigeon drop

pig boiling, pig dog, pigeon, pigeon blood, pigeon breast, pigeon drop, pigeon hawk, pigeon-hearted, pigeonhole, pigeonite, pigeon-livered

How to use pigeon drop in a sentence

During an emergency that ratio could be allowed to drop to 8.5 people per orbit.
Exclusive: U.S. Drone Fleet at ‘Breaking Point,’ Air Force Says|Dave Majumdar|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But with the pipeline, transportation costs drop and production would be higher.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Jan. 4|PunditFact.com|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Then, depending on how urgent I think it is to get it, sometimes I have to go back home and drop it off.
#Setinthestreet: Your Street Corner Is Their Art Project|James Joiner|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many times, victims drop out of school, while their alleged attackers graduate.
Jameis Winston Cleared of Rape Like Every Other College Sports Star|Robert Silverman|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A Change.org petition asking A&E to drop the show is already making the rounds online.
To Catch a Sex Worker: A&E’s Awful, Exploitative Ambush Show|Samantha Allen|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before he could finish the sentence the Hole-keeper said snappishly, "Well, drop out again—quick!"
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
At a quarter past seven he took his leave and we let drop our anchor where we were, off Cape Tekke.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Now and then he touched one with his long and sallow fingers, lifted its cover, then let it drop mechanically.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
In fact, on the palm a small drop of blood showed distinctly against the firm, pink flesh.
Uncanny Tales|Various
In fact, on the Professor's right hand there showed a drop of blood, perceptibly larger this time than before.
Uncanny Tales|Various