Definition

Noun: A traditional children's board game in which players roll a die to move their token along a numbered grid. The board features pictures of ladders, which allow a token to advance quickly to a higher-numbered square, and snakes (or chutes), which cause a token to fall back to a lower-numbered square. The first player to reach the final square wins.

Usage

The term "snakes and ladders" refers specifically to the game itself. It is used as a singular noun phrase. * The children spent the afternoon playing snakes and ladders. * Do you remember the rules for snakes and ladders? * We bought a new snakes and ladders set for the family game night.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical Use: The phrase is often used metaphorically to describe any situation involving unpredictable ups and downs, sudden advancements, and setbacks, much like the progress in the game.
  • His career has been a real game of snakes and ladders, with several promotions and unexpected demotions.
  • The stock market can feel like snakes and ladders for new investors.

Variants and Related Words

• Chutes and Ladders: This is a common variant name for the same game, particularly in American English. The "snakes" are replaced by "chutes" (slides).
  • The classic game Chutes and Ladders is popular with young children.

Synonyms

• Board game
• Race game (describing its mechanic)

Related Idioms

• A snakes and ladders situation/path/career: Used to describe a process or experience characterized by volatile progress, with frequent reversals of fortune.
  • Navigating the bureaucracy was a snakes and ladders experience.

Noun

1. a board game for children who use dice to move counters up ladders and down snakes