shell game
noun
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The shell game, a swindling trick in which a small ball or pea is quickly shifted from under one to another of three walnut shells or cups to fool the spectator guessing its location, is a version of one of the oldest and most widespread forms of sleight of hand. Conjurers have performed this trick, which is also called the cups and balls trick and thimblerig, throughout the world for centuries. The version that became popular in the United States in the late 19th century used walnut shells and peas. Shell game thus became the popular term for the trick, and the trick itself became so well known that the term is now used figuratively to describe dishonest actions that are done to deceive people.
Examples of shell game in a Sentence
Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Feb. 2026
Fazio has pushed the idea as his signature issue in the battle for governor, while Gov. Ned Lamont says that shifting the charges to the $27 billion annual state budget is simply a shell game that switches the payments from ratepayers to taxpayers.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2026
Cyrus, a beloved gay icon, was a smart choice and seemed ready to play along with Kenworthy’s shell game.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Jan. 2026
The grand jury’s focus was the shell game played with $10 million that rightfully belonged to the Florida Medicaid program.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shell game
Cite this Entry
“Shell game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20game. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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