russian roulette: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “russian roulette” mean?
An extremely dangerous game of chance in which a single round is placed in a revolver, the cylinder is spun, the gun is pointed at one's own head, and the trigger is pulled, with a one-in-six (or more) chance of firing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An extremely dangerous game of chance in which a single round is placed in a revolver, the cylinder is spun, the gun is pointed at one's own head, and the trigger is pulled, with a one-in-six (or more) chance of firing.
Any recklessly dangerous activity involving a high degree of risk or chance with potentially fatal consequences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally understood and used in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of extreme, foolish risk. May be used in political/journalistic contexts to criticise policies.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Slight potential for more frequent use in US media due to higher prevalence of firearm-related discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “russian roulette” in a Sentence
to play Russian roulette with [OBJECT][ACTIVITY] is like Russian rouletteto engage in Russian rouletteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “russian roulette” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They are essentially russian-rouletting with public funds.
- (Note: highly non-standard, creative use)
American English
- He's russian-rouletting his career by ignoring the allegations.
- (Note: highly non-standard, creative use)
adverb
British English
- He invested his money almost russian-roulette-style.
- (Non-standard, creative)
American English
- She drove russian-roulette-fast down the icy road.
- (Non-standard, creative)
adjective
British English
- The policy had a russian-roulette quality to it.
- (Hyphenated, attributive use)
American English
- It was a Russian roulette strategy that finally backfired.
- (Attributive noun phrase use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to criticise high-risk investment strategies or corporate decisions with potentially catastrophic downsides, e.g., 'The leveraged buyout was financial Russian roulette.'
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, or risk-analysis papers as a metaphor for extreme risk-taking behaviour.
Everyday
Used hyperbolically to describe any risky activity, e.g., 'Cycling without a helmet is like playing Russian roulette.'
Technical
Rare in technical fields except as a metaphor in risk management or safety engineering discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “russian roulette”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “russian roulette”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “russian roulette”
- Misspelling as 'Russion roulette'.
- Using it for low-stakes risks, diluting its severe connotation.
- Incorrect capitalisation (e.g., 'russian Roulette').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Its core meaning refers to the lethal gun game, but it is now almost exclusively used as a metaphor for any activity with a high risk of catastrophic failure.
The term originates from a supposedly Russian practice, though its exact historical origin is debated. It entered English in the early 20th century, popularised by literature and film.
Yes, but cautiously. It is a powerful metaphorical idiom acceptable in journalism, commentary, and some academic writing (e.g., social sciences), but may be considered too informal or clichéd in very technical or legal documents.
It plays on Western stereotypes (circa late 19th/early 20th century) of Russians as fatalistic, melancholic, and prone to dramatic acts of chance or despair, often linked to literary depictions.
An extremely dangerous game of chance in which a single round is placed in a revolver, the cylinder is spun, the gun is pointed at one's own head, and the trigger is pulled, with a one-in-six (or more) chance of firing.
Russian roulette: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrʌʃ.ən ruːˈlet/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrʌʃ.ən ruˈlet/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Playing Russian roulette with your health/life/career.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RUSSIAN spy playing ROULETTE in a casino, but instead of a wheel, he uses a revolver. The combination of 'Russian' (often stereotyped as grim/fatalistic in Western culture) and 'roulette' (a game of chance) creates the image of a deadly gamble.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAMBLE / RISK IS A GAME OF CHANCE / A RECKLESS ACTION IS PLAYING WITH A LOADED GUN.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'Russian roulette' LEAST appropriate?