three-card monte

• Jeu d'argent de rue ou arnaque impliquant trois cartes, où le donneur manipule les cartes pour tromper le joueur ; souvent utilisé métaphoriquement pour désigner toute escroquerie ou manœuvre frauduleuse.

A confidence trick or street gambling game involving three cards, where the dealer manipulates the cards to cheat the player; often used metaphorically to describe any deceptive or fraudulent scheme.

1. C1informalamerican

   A classic confidence trick or street gambling game where the operator shows three cards, then shuffles them face down, and the player must find a specific card (usually the queen). The game is almost always rigged against the player.

   bonneteau

   • He lost all his money playing three-card monte on the street corner.
   • The police arrested the men running the three-card monte scam.
   • Tourists are often targeted by three-card monte operators in big cities.

2. Metaphor for deceptionC2informal

   Used figuratively to describe any situation involving trickery, sleight of hand, or a deceptive scheme designed to confuse and cheat someone.

   Tour de passe-passe

   • The politician's promises were just a three-card monte act to win votes.
   • The financial advisor's investment scheme was a three-card monte in disguise.
   • Don't fall for his three-card monte; he's just trying to distract you from the real issue.