A house of cards

Meaning

The idiom "a house of cards" refers to a situation or structure that is very fragile and easily disrupted or destroyed by any small action or event. It can also suggest a lack of stability or security in a particular situation.

Usage

• The company's financial situation was precarious, and one wrong move could bring down the entire enterprise like a house of cards.
• The politician's reputation had been built on a foundation of lies and deceit, and any revelation could cause the whole structure to crumble like a house of cards.
• The relationship between the two lovers was delicate and fragile, like a house of cards that could be blown away by even the slightest breeze.
• The city's infrastructure was outdated and in dire need of repairs, but the government had failed to allocate sufficient funding, leaving the situation like a house of cards waiting to be toppled.
• The student's grades were sliding, and if they didn't improve their performance soon, they could lose their scholarship and their entire future like a house of cards collapsing under its own weight.

Roots and History

The idiom "a house of cards" dates back to at least the 16th century and has been used in various forms in different languages. One of the earliest uses in English was by William Shakespeare, who wrote in his play "Much Ado About Nothing": "I was but a fool, like a child that's played with a toy-house: I thought it had been built for me." Over time, the idiom has taken on different meanings and connotations. In some contexts, it can be used to express admiration or appreciation for something fragile or delicate. For example, "She handled the glass vase like it was a house of cards, with the utmost care and precision."

Synonyms in English

• A delicate balance
• A precarious position
• A fragile situation
• A weak foundation
• A precarious state of affairs

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Un édifice de cartes" (a house of cards)
• German: "Eine Haus aus Karten" (a house of cards)
• Italian: "Una casa di cartoline" (a house of cards)
• Spanish: "Una casa de tarjetas" (a house of cards)
• Portuguese: "Uma casa de cartões" (a house of cards)

Similar Idioms

• a lot on my plate

• at a discount

• hit the road