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.
Just as frustrating for CEOs is the lingering sense that this entire house of cards might collapse at any moment due to a court reversal. Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025 Even though today’s reader knows the answer to whether life exists on Mars or whether the red planet can sustain life, Baron skillfully builds tension around the house of cards Lowell creates. Maren Longbella, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 But Laesch views much of that progress as a house of cards, with too many new businesses opening up that had no good plans for sustainability. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 This effect helps to loosen the strings of the overall economy and financial sector, but around this point asset prices are reaching incredulous levels as investor euphoria intensifies, drawing in further speculation, until prices then turn down, and the house of cards collapses in a crash. Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 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 4 Oct. 2025.

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