stack the deck

stack the deck (against someone or something) and stack the cards (against someone or something)

to arrange things against someone or something. (Originally from card playing; stacking the deck is to cheat by arranging the cards to be dealt out to one's advantage.) I can't get ahead at my office. Someone has stacked the cards against me. Do you really think that someone has stacked the deck? Isn't it just fate?

See also: deck, stack

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stack the deck  (mainly American)

to arrange something in a way that is not fair in order to achieve what you want

Usage notes: This phrase comes from the idea of arranging a set of cards in a card game so that you will win.

The manager stacked the deck in Joe's favor so he got the promotion.

See blow stack

See also: deck, stack

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stack the deck also the deck is stacked against you

to arrange something so that it is unfair to someone We wanted to make sure no one was stacking the deck in their favor. The deck truly is stacked against the poor.

Etymology: based on a way of cheating in a card game by secretly arranging the cards so that you will win

See also: deck, stack