a house of cards

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a house of cards

Meaning

• something that can easily be broken or crumble by itself
• something that is very fragile in nature
• something that cannot be protected
• something rickety and very inconsistent

Example Sentences

1. The police brought the illegal business down like a house of cards as per the news article but it was a much more planned affair in reality.
2. I have seen many such careers fall like a house of cards in the cruel IT industry.
3. Their entire relationship fell down like a house of cards. Wonder if they will take joint responsibility of the children now.
4. My children love making a house of cards when they have an entire evening to themselves.
5. What you have is just a house of cards, waiting to fall. Please understand and make amends while there is still time.
6. This business is like a house of cards in the current economic and political situation. I think it is best that you shut it down.

Origin

The origin of the phrase is debated to be from the 18^th century England but some believe that it has an American base. The literary origin cannot be traced back accurately but it is believed that the phrase has become popular since the game of cards became a past time in the society towards the end of the 18^th or the beginning of the 19^th century.

Cards