The idiom "shell game" refers to a type of scam or deception where a person hides an object, usually a small ball, under one of three shells or cups and then shuffles them around quickly. The goal is to trick someone into guessing which shell the object is under. The person running the game often uses sleight of hand or other tricks to make it difficult for the player to keep track of the object's location.
In everyday English, "shell game" is used to describe any situation where someone is trying to deceive or trick someone else. For example, you might say that a politician is playing a shell game with the truth if they are trying to hide something or mislead people.
Overall, the idiom "shell game" is a way to describe a situation where someone is trying to pull a fast one or trick someone else.
• The company's accounting practices were like a shell game, making it difficult to track expenses.
• Don't fall for the shell game, they always cheat and you'll lose your money.
• The con artist had a clever shell game scheme, fooling even the most skeptical of investors.
• The politician was playing a shell game with the budget numbers, trying to hide the deficit.
• I saw someone playing shell game on the street, but I didn't understand the rules.
• The international espionage game was like a shell game, with agents constantly shifting identities and allegiances.