the cards are stacked against (someone or something)
the cards are stacked against (someone or something)
Someone or something is unlikely to be successful due to some existing circumstances, conditions, or obstacles that are likely to present difficulties. Tiffany wants to pursue a career in modeling, but she's only five feet tall, so the cards are stacked against her. The cards are stacked against their campaign, thanks to a lack of funding.
See also: card, stacked
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
cards are stacked against (one)
[informal] luck is against one. I have the worst luck. The cards are stacked against me all the time. How can I accomplish anything when the cards are stacked against me?
See also: card, stacked
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
cards are stacked against
Many difficulties face someone or something, as in The cards are stacked against the new highway project. This term originated in gambling, where to stack the cards or stack the deck means to arrange cards secretly and dishonestly in one's own favor or against one's opponent. [Mid-1800s]
See also: card, stacked
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
the cards/odds are stacked aˈgainst somebody/something
it is not likely that somebody/something will succeed, because they/it will have many problems or difficulties: The cards are stacked against this plan. The public are against it.See also: card, odds, somebody, something, stacked
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- cards are stacked against
- odds are against one
- the odds are against (someone or something)
- the odds are stacked against (someone or something)
- the cards/odds are stacked against somebody/something
- the cards/odds are stacked in favour of somebody/something
- the odds are stacked in (someone's or something's) favor
- the odds are stacked in favor of (someone or something)
- the cards are stacked in (someone's or something's) favor
- the cards are stacked in favor of (someone or something)