stack the cards v. phr. 1. To arrange cards secretly and dishonestly for the purpose of cheating.
The gambler had stacked the cards against Bill. 2. To arrange things unfairly for or against a person; have things so that a person has an unfair advantage or disadvantage; make sure in an unfair way that things will happen.
■ Usually used in the passive with "in one's favor" or "against one."
A tall basketball player has the cards stacked in his favor. The cards are stacked against a poor boy who wants to go to college. [TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲