play with house money: Idiom Meaning and Origin

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.