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
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Sundar Pichai and Sam Altman are building a spectacular house of cards. Sunil Sharan, Fortune, 27 May 2026 The economic reality is that, despite Putin’s tough guy bluster and despite higher oil and gas prices as well as the unwise relaxation of energy sanctions on Russia, Putin’s house of cards is still more vulnerable than many realize. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 23 May 2026 Rob turtled inside the plastic covering while viewers heard a soundtrack of tritely soulful country lyrics about being a house of cards that’s about to break. Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026 Any plan is a house of cards until this network of fraud is removed. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“House of cards.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/house%20of%20cards. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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