numbers game
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.91 in modern English
18
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
3
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A lottery in which bettors attempt to guess which numbers will later be drawn randomly; especially, an illicit one.
noun
The incorrect use of statistics (numbers) to reflect a desired result (usually misleading).
Example Sentences
- "Back in that day, mafias ran the numbers games and there was no such thing as a state lottery."
- "They're playing a numbers game to make it look like seat belts and vaccines are dangerous."
- "Is it not as misleading to apply a simple numbers game to the Civil Service as it is to the police?"
- "The Secretary of State was quick to mention the problems of the 1960s and the 1970s. He criticised the quick-build policies pursued then. He later threw in the 1950s as well. That was when the numbers game was all. We see today the results of playing the numbers game."
- "Mr. John Powley (Norwich, South): The hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) was careful to say that at any one time no more than four GLC officers were present in the Committee. He did not say that only four had ever been present. Is it not possible that, through the long hours, relays of four different people at different times have been involved in the argument? Mr. Martin Stevens: That is what is called playing the numbers game. I do no more than thank my hon. Friend for his kind intervention."
- "I made it clear in a recent letter to the Minister, to which I do not expect him to reply tonight, that we will not play the numbers game of setting targets."