Definition

1. Noun:
   • A program for a horse race: "race-card" refers to a printed program or list of the horses, jockeys, and races scheduled for a particular day at a racetrack.
   • A strategy of racial appeal: In political or social contexts, "race-card" is used metaphorically to describe the act of exploiting race or ethnicity for personal or political advantage, often in a manipulative way.

Usage Examples

• Noun (horse racing):

  • He studied the race-card carefully before placing his bets. (He examined the program listing all the horses and races.)
  • The race-card showed that the favorite was in the third race. (The program indicated the most likely winner in that specific race.)

• Noun (political/social strategy):

  • The politician was accused of playing the race-card to gain votes. (He was criticized for using racial issues to win support.)
  • She argued that the candidate's comments were a clear attempt to use the race-card. (The candidate tried to manipulate voters by focusing on racial divisions.)

Advanced Usage

• "to play the race-card": a common idiomatic phrase meaning to exploit racial issues for personal or political gain.

  • He always plays the race-card when he is losing an argument. (He uses race as a distraction or excuse.)

• "to pull the race-card": similar to "play the race-card," often used in informal contexts.

  • Instead of addressing the facts, she pulled the race-card to silence her critics. (She invoked race to avoid a substantive debate.)

Variants and Related Words

• Racecard (n): a single variant spelling, often used interchangeably in horse racing contexts.
  • I forgot my racecard at home, so I had to buy another at the track. (I lost my program for the races.)

Synonyms

• Program (horse racing): a printed list of events or participants.

  • The program listed all the horses and their odds. (A synonym for "race-card" in racing contexts.)

• Racial appeal (political): the strategic use of race to influence opinion.

  • His speech was a clear example of racial appeal. (Using race to gain support.)

Related Idioms

• Play the race card: the most common idiom, meaning to exploit race for advantage.

  • Critics say the mayor is playing the race card to distract from economic issues. (He uses racial tension to shift attention.)

• Pull the race card: a less formal variant of "play the race card."

  • When the debate got heated, he pulled the race card to shut down opposition. (He invoked race to end the discussion.)