confidence game: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “confidence game” mean?
A swindle in which the victim (the 'mark') is persuaded to trust the swindler (the 'con artist'), leading to financial or other loss.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A swindle in which the victim (the 'mark') is persuaded to trust the swindler (the 'con artist'), leading to financial or other loss.
1. Any scheme, plan, or interaction based on gaining someone's trust to exploit them. 2. Figuratively, a situation or system that operates deceptively on the basis of trust or false beliefs (e.g., 'the economy was built on a giant confidence game').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both dialects. 'Confidence trick' is a more common British variant. The verb 'to con' (someone) is equally common in both.
Connotations
Identical connotations of deceit and exploitation.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the prevalence of 'confidence man' and 'con man' in historical and popular culture.
Grammar
How to Use “confidence game” in a Sentence
[Subject/Con artist] + ran/operated + a confidence game + on/against [Object/Mark].It was + (nothing more than) + a confidence game.[Subject/Mark] + fell for + a confidence game.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “confidence game” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was confidence-tricked out of his life savings.
- They conned him with an elaborate story.
American English
- She was conned in a classic wire fraud scheme.
- He confessed to running a operation that confidence-gamed elderly victims.
adverb
British English
- The scheme was confidence-based, relying entirely on trust.
- He operated conningly and effectively.
American English
- The fraud was carried out conningly.
- He acted in a purely confidence-driven manner.
adjective
British English
- He was a known confidence trickster.
- They used confidence-game tactics.
American English
- She was a master con artist.
- It was a classic confidence-game operation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe fraudulent investment schemes or business ventures built on deception rather than real value.
Academic
Used in criminology, sociology, and media studies to analyze deceptive practices and the psychology of trust.
Everyday
Used to describe a personal scam one has fallen victim to, like an online romance scam or an advanced fee fraud.
Technical
A specific legal term in criminal law, often synonymous with 'fraud by false pretense'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “confidence game”
- Using 'confidence game' to mean a situation that simply requires confidence (e.g., 'Job interviews are a confidence game'). While this is a metaphorical extension, it's often a misinterpretation by learners. The term inherently implies malicious deceit.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'confidence game' specifically emphasizes the central role of gaining the victim's trust over a period of time, often through building a relationship. A 'scam' is a broader term for any fraudulent scheme, which may or may not involve a personal, trust-based element.
Yes, 'con game' is a perfectly acceptable and common informal shortening of 'confidence game'. 'Con' itself is also used as a noun ('It was a con') and a verb ('He conned me').
No, the term is inherently negative and implies malicious intent to deceive and exploit. Using it to describe a legitimate challenge that requires confidence (e.g., 'Sales is a confidence game') is a metaphorical and often critical usage, suggesting the system is deceptive.
The term 'confidence man' originated in the United States in the mid-19th century. It referred to a criminal who exploited the 'confidence' (trust) of his victims. 'Confidence game' naturally derived from this to describe the specific scheme or act performed by the 'confidence man'.
Confidence game is usually formal to neutral in register.
Confidence game: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒn.fɪ.dəns ɡeɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.fə.dəns ɡeɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A con job”
- “A pyramid scheme (specific type)”
- “Sell someone a bridge (humorous, implies gullibility)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CON artist gaining your CONFIDENCE to win a GAME where the prize is your money.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUST IS A VULNERABILITY / DECEPTION IS A SPORT (GAME).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the CLOSEST synonym to 'confidence game' in its core criminal meaning?