What Does “house of cards” mean?
Definition:
“A house of cards” refers to a situation structure, system, organization, or plan that is weak and is likely to fail or collapse
Origin
The phrase dates back to 1645 according to the Meriam-Webster dictionary. But the expression is thought to have gained popularity when the game of cards became a popular pastime towards the end of the 18th century.
In its literal meaning a “house of cards” refers to a structure created by piling playing cards on top of each other, often in the form of a tower or pyramid.
Figuratively, the phrase indicates that something is shaky and weak and is probably doomed to fail with the least provocation, very much like a house built of cards. It is something hardly able to sustain itself and so easy to fall.
Example(s)
The newly elected government will soon fall like a house of cards because it has not a clear majority in the parliament.
The whole plan is like a house of cards. It will fail with the first challenge.
