Russian roulette
Americannoun
noun
-
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
-
any act which, if repeated several times, is likely to have disastrous consequences
Etymology
Origin of Russian roulette
First recorded in 1935–40
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.
“We can’t play Russian roulette with the destiny of millions of people,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
"For governments to allow private entities to essentially play Russian roulette with every human being on earth is, in my view, a total dereliction of duty," said Russell, a prominent voice on AI safety.
From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026
She says she felt risks were being taken by the two midwives and it had been "almost like a game of Russian roulette".
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2024
"Otherwise, a full vacuum in the central bank leadership would bring the worst period of Lebanon's financial crisis yet. The deputy governors are playing Russian roulette," Boumounsef told Reuters.
From Reuters • Jul. 7, 2023
“It’s dangerous, like playing Russian roulette with the volcano,” grumbled Skamania Sheriff Bill Closner.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
