stack the deck

USAGE SUMMARY

"stack the deck" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to manipulating a situation to create an unfair advantage. Example: "He stacked the deck in his favor by only inviting his closest allies to the meeting." Alternative expressions include "rig the game," "manipulate the odds," and "tilt the scales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Does that stack the deck?

The New York Times - Tech

"It's not like we stack the deck in any way".

The New York Times

"We would stack the deck for the test," he recalled.

The New York Times

To stack the deck, we did everything Mr. Bennett suggested.

The New York Times

To call this a question of science versus morality is to stack the deck.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Feinberg dismissed the idea that this appears to stack the deck against those appealing.

The New York Times

Over the years Republicans have worked to stack the deck with social conservatives.

The Economist

"Both countries stack the deck in favour of certain people over others," he begins.

Independent

"At the same time, when you stack the deck it becomes more difficult".

The New York Times

Is it because the Republican redistricting maneuvers stack the deck against election reformers?

The New York Times

I also realized that the vagaries of the process sometimes stack the deck.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stack the deck", consider the tone. It often carries a negative connotation, implying unethical or unfair practices. Be mindful of the audience and purpose of your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "stack the deck" in situations where genuine effort or skill legitimately leads to success. The phrase implies unfair advantage, not simply achieving a positive outcome through legitimate means.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "stack the deck" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of manipulating a situation to create an unfair advantage. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to indicate bias or manipulation in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "stack the deck" is a common expression used to describe the act of manipulating a situation to create an unfair advantage. Ludwig confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and predominantly used in news and media contexts. While it carries a negative connotation, it is widely understood and accepted. Related phrases include "rig the game" and "tilt the playing field". When using this phrase, be mindful of its implication of unfairness and consider the appropriateness of its informal tone for your specific audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rig the game

Focuses on the manipulation of a process or system, similar to creating an unfair advantage.

manipulate the odds

Highlights the act of influencing probabilities to achieve a desired outcome.

tilt the playing field

Emphasizes the creation of unequal conditions or opportunities.

fix the outcome

Indicates predetermination of a result through covert or unfair means.

prearrange the result

Focuses on setting up a specific outcome in advance.

engineer the situation

Suggests a deliberate and calculated manipulation of circumstances.

control the process

Highlights the dominance over a series of actions to influence the final result.

pull strings

Implies using influence or hidden connections to achieve a desired outcome.

load the dice

An alternative idiom with a similar meaning, indicating a bias or advantage.

gerrymander the system

Specifically refers to manipulating boundaries for political advantage, but can be used metaphorically for other situations.

FAQs

What does it mean to "stack the deck"?

To "stack the deck" means to manipulate a situation or process to unfairly favor one party or outcome. It implies a deliberate arrangement to create an advantage.

How can I use "stack the deck" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company seemed to "stack the deck" by hiring only candidates recommended by current employees," suggesting bias in their hiring process.

What are some alternatives to "stack the deck"?

Alternatives include "rig the game", "manipulate the odds", or "tilt the playing field", all of which convey the idea of creating an unfair advantage.

Is "stack the deck" a formal or informal expression?

"Stack the deck" is generally considered an informal expression, though it's commonly used in news and media. More formal contexts might call for alternatives like "manipulate the process" or "create a bias".