play the gender card

play the gender card

To introduce the issue of gender discrimination, especially against the gender one identifies as, in order to gain an advantage in or dismiss or discredit an argument. There you go playing the gender card again. I don't care who you are—I still think it's a bad policy! I hate it when casual misogynists try to brush off legitimate criticism by claiming that you're just "playing the gender card."
See also: card, gender, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • play the race card
  • race card
  • the race card
  • opposite sex
  • the opposite sex
  • gender-neutral
  • neutral
  • CIS
  • cisgender
  • gender
References in periodicals archive
Hillary Clinton does play the gender card, relentlessly.
Is Bill Clinton's past fair game?
FEMINISM is when a woman doesn't play the gender card to her unfair advantage.
WHAT FEMINISM MEANS FOR THESE BIG ACHIEVERS
Another woman happy to play the gender card when it comes to cars is broadcaster and Western Mail columnist Lowri Turner.
'Most women don't remotely care how their car's sprockets work' Welsh author's guide to handling motoring hassles
Mr Obama's campaign said he was not referring to Mrs Palin and said the Republican camp was engaging in a "pathetic attempt to play the gender card".
INTERNATIONAL: Lipstick sparks new war of words
She once said: "Women are under-represented in the prison service, but I don't really play the gender card.
SEX-IN-PRISON GOVERNOR FINDS LOVE BEHIND BARS; High-flying Audrey, 38, falls for fellow officer