play with marked cards

[alpacinou]

Hello.

I came across the idiom "play with marked cards". I know it means to cheat but exactly when and how can I use it? I found some examples here:

https://glosbe.com/en/en/marked cards

But still, I need a detailed explanation as to how this idiom can be used. Could you please offer some examples?

 

[SoothingDave]

I would say it's not an expression that is commonly used figuratively, so I would not worry about it.

 

[alpacinou]

I would say it's not an expression that is commonly used figuratively, so I would not worry about it.

What if I like it and want to use it? How can I?

 

[probus]

Some people play cards for money, but most do not. Those who do would take it literally and those who do not would probably be baffled. So there is no point in trying to use it figuratively.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

What if I like it and want to use it? How can I?

No mystery there. Just use it:

- He's playing with marked cards.
- She plays with marked cards.
- It's easy to win when you're playing with marked cards.

 

[Tdol]

There is an example on the page you link to:

Now it may well be that Cyprus and Malta are ready. In the past, however, governments have all too often played with marked cards in order to qualify for the euro club.

In other words, governments cheated the figures to make their currencies and economies meet the standards for joining the Euro. You could its use here as a bit euphemistic- not calling the governments cheats directly.