cardsharper
Definition
Noun: A cardsharper is a person who cheats at card games, especially as a profession or habitual practice. This person uses deception, sleight of hand, or marked cards to gain an unfair advantage over other players.
Usage
The word "cardsharper" is used to describe a specific type of dishonest gambler. It is a formal term for a cheat or swindler in the context of card games. * He was exposed as a cardsharper after a player noticed the marked deck. * The casino employs experts to spot potential cardsharpers before they can cheat others.
Examples
- The old western film featured a villainous cardsharper who robbed miners in poker games.
- You should be cautious in underground games; you never know if a cardsharper is at the table.
- His reputation as a cardsharper meant no reputable club would let him play.
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a level of skill in deception, not merely occasional cheating. A cardsharper is typically a seasoned practitioner of cheating techniques.
- It can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is deceitful or manipulative in business or negotiations, though this is an extended, figurative use.
- In the world of high-stakes mergers, he was known as a corporate cardsharper.
Variants and Related Words
- Cardsharp (noun): A common alternative spelling and form with the same meaning.
- Card shark (noun): This is a common informal variant. Note that "card shark" can sometimes simply mean a highly skilled player, not necessarily a cheat, which can lead to ambiguity. "Cardsharper" unambiguously means a cheat.
- Cheat (noun/verb): A general term for someone who acts dishonestly to gain an advantage.
- Swindler (noun): A person who uses deception to deprive someone of money or property.
Synonyms
- Cheater
- Sharper
- Hustler (in the context of gambling)
- Rook (archaic)
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To have a card up one's sleeve: To have a secret plan or advantage. This idiom originates from the literal practice of hiding a card to cheat, closely related to the methods of a cardsharper.
- During the negotiations, she seemed to have a card up her sleeve that would secure the deal.
Noun
-
a professional card player who makes a living by cheating at card games
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ gần giống
Từ chứa "cardsharper"
