house of cards

• Situação, plano ou organização muito frágil e com grande probabilidade de desmoronar ou fracassar, geralmente por estar baseada em suposições irrealistas ou fundamentos instáveis.

A situation, plan, or organization that is very weak and likely to collapse or fail easily, often due to being built on unrealistic assumptions or fragile foundations.

1. Fragile structureA2formal

   A structure made by stacking playing cards, which is very unstable and easily collapses.

   Castelo de cartas

   • The child carefully built a house of cards on the table.
   • A sudden breeze knocked over his house of cards.
   • Building a house of cards requires patience and steady hands.

2. Unstable plan or systemB2informal

   A plan, organization, or system that is very weak and likely to fail or collapse.

   Castelo de cartas

   • Their financial scheme was just a house of cards, ready to fall apart.
   • The dictator's regime was a house of cards, held together by fear.
   • His argument was a house of cards, crumbling under the slightest scrutiny.