shell game

American  

noun

1. a sleight-of-hand swindling game resembling thimblerig but employing walnut shells or the like instead of thimblelike cups.

2. any deceit, swindle, fraud, or the like.

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shell game British  

noun

1. the US name for thimblerig

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Etymology

Origin of shell game

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

“It’s a shell game and there’s no way to enforce this stuff because it’s all an algorithm in a black box — how we’re paid and whether or not we get benefits,” Moore said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2024

He threw money around, put his name on everything, and, crucially, used threats of legal action to silence most people who would dare publicly question his shell game.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2023

If you see anyone playing three-card monte or a shell game, just keep walking.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2023

"Your assets can be moved around in whatever shell game Binance prefers. And in the end, whenever everything crashes you're last in line," Stark told Reuters.

From Reuters • Jun. 6, 2023

Each had a sea sponge underneath, like a rigged shell game.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri