numbers game

Thân thiện

People play the numbers game on the street corner.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An illegal daily lottery: A form of gambling, typically operated illegally, where participants bet on numbers and winners are determined by a daily drawing or other numerical outcome.

Usage

• The term "numbers game" specifically refers to an illegal gambling operation. It is used as a singular noun phrase.
• Example:

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe any activity focused on manipulating or achieving favorable statistics, though this is an extended, figurative sense.
  • In politics, it often becomes a numbers game of polling percentages.

Variants and Related Words

• Numbers racket: A direct synonym for an illegal numbers lottery.
  • He was arrested for running a numbers racket.

Synonyms

• Illegal lottery
• Numbers racket
• Policy racket (historical)

Related Phrases

• To play the numbers: To participate in an illegal numbers game.
  • Many in the community used to play the numbers.

Notes

• The core, primary meaning is the illegal gambling operation. The metaphorical use is secondary and context-dependent.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an illegal daily lottery

Từ đồng nghĩa

• numbers pool
• numbers racket
• numbers