house of cards

noun phrase

: a structure, situation, or institution that is insubstantial, shaky, or in constant danger of collapse

Examples of house of cards in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the journey, Vidmar, LaMont, Rueda and Phalen built a house of cards and the first player to topple the deck would lose their vote. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 Notre-Dame’s walls somehow didn’t collapse like a house of cards, as firefighters feared. Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024 Those with allegiance to Trump seem to be building America on a moral house of cards. Matthew Liptak, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Nov. 2024 Until Gilmore signed, the group, in general, felt a bit like a house of cards. Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for house of cards 

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of house of cards was in 1645

Dictionary Entries Near house of cards

Cite this Entry

“House of cards.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/house%20of%20cards. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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