Russian roulette

American  

noun

1. a game of high risk in which each player in turn, using a revolver containing one bullet, spins the cylinder of the revolver, points the muzzle at the head, and pulls the trigger.

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Russian roulette British  

noun

1. a game of chance in which each player in turn spins the cylinder of a revolver loaded with only one cartridge and presses the trigger with the barrel against his own head

2. any act which, if repeated several times, is likely to have disastrous consequences

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Etymology

Origin of Russian roulette

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

As investing author William Bernstein points out, “That is also how often you win at Russian roulette.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Deep sea explorer Victor Vescovo said he had grave misgivings about Titan and that he had told people that diving in the sub was like playing Russian roulette.

From BBC

"It's like playing Russian roulette and getting the bullet."

From BBC

That creates what Mr Willison describes as an "immunological Russian roulette", triggering an "acute neurological tsunami" that surges through the peripheral nervous system.

From BBC

"We're playing a bit of a Russian roulette game," warns Prof England.

From BBC

Related Words

• delicate
• dicey
• hazardous
• precarious
• risky
• rugged
• shaky
• threatening
• ticklish
• touchy
• treacherous
• uncertain
• unstable