play with house money: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘play with house money’ mean?
The idiom "play with house money" means to take risks or make decisions without worrying about losing, as if using someone else's money in a casino.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "take a gamble" means to take a risk or chance on something without being certain of the outcome.
The idiom "roll the dice" means to take a risk or make a decision without knowing the outcome or consequences.
One idiom that is commonly used in American English is "roll the dice." This phrase is often used to describe taking a chance or making a risky decision. The origin and meaning of this idiom can be explored to gain a deeper understanding of its usage.
"Play it for all it's worth" means to take full advantage of a situation or opportunity to benefit oneself, often by using all available resources or skills to maximize the potential outcome.
The idiom "play it cool" means to remain calm and composed in a situation, especially when feeling nervous or under pressure. It involves maintaining a nonchalant or unaffected attitude to hide one's true emotions or intentions.
The idiom "play hooky" means to skip school or work without permission or a valid reason.
The idiom "play hob with" means to cause trouble or disruption, often leading to negative consequences or difficulties.
The idiom "play hardball" means to act aggressively, ruthlessly, or without compromise, typically in a competitive or confrontational situation.
The idiom "play games" means to behave in a deceptive or manipulative way, often for personal gain or advantage.
The idiom "play games" is commonly used to refer to situations or behaviors that involve deception, manipulation, or lack of straightforwardness. It can be traced back to the early 19th century and has been extensively used in literature, conversations, and media.
The idiom "play for time" means to delay taking action in order to gain more time or to avoid making a decision immediately.
The idiom *play for love* means to engage in an activity solely for personal enjoyment or passion, without any expectation of financial gain or external recognition.
Infinite Risks, Countless Rewards
One related idiom that ties into the concept of "play with house money" is "roll the dice." When someone rolls the dice, they are taking a chance or a risk on an uncertain outcome. This can be seen as similar to playing with house money because both involve a level of unpredictability and the potential for either a positive or negative result.
Another related idiom is "take a gamble." Similar to playing with house money, taking a gamble means taking a risk or making a decision without knowing the outcome. It implies that there is a level of uncertainty involved, but the potential reward outweighs the potential loss. When someone is playing with house money, they are essentially taking a gamble because they are using someone else's resources to try and achieve a desired outcome.
Playing games is another related concept. When someone plays games, they are engaging in activities that involve competition, strategy, and often an element of chance. Playing with house money can be seen as a form of playing games because both involve taking risks and making decisions with the hope of achieving a desired outcome.
The final related idiom is "play around." When someone plays around, they are engaging in activities or behavior that is not serious or focused. Playing with house money can be seen as a form of playing around because it allows individuals to take risks or make decisions without any personal consequences. It gives them a sense of freedom and the ability to play around with different strategies or approaches without the fear of losing their own resources.
The idiom "play with house money" is a phrase commonly used in American English. It refers to a situation where individuals are able to take risks or make decisions without any personal financial consequences. The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the world of gambling, where players use chips provided by the casino to play games. It has now extended beyond gambling and is used to describe situations where individuals have nothing to lose and everything to gain. When someone is playing with house money, they are essentially taking a risk or making a decision without any fear of losing their own resources. This concept is similar to related idioms such as "roll the dice," "take a gamble," "play games," and "play around," which all involve a level of uncertainty and the potential for either a positive or negative outcome.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom play with house money can be used in a sentence:
- After winning a large sum of money in the casino, he felt like he was playing with house money for the rest of the night.
- Having already secured a place in the finals, the underdog team felt like they were playing with house money and had nothing to lose.
- After receiving a scholarship to attend college, she felt like she was playing with house money and could take risks in her studies.
More "Gambling" idioms
