English

Noun

number games

1. (idiomatic) A numbers game: the use of inappropriate statistics (numbers) to reflect a desired result (usually misleading).
   • 1980, United States House of Representatives, Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy Research and Production, (transcript of the proceedings about the) Omnibus Geothermal Energy Legislation, page 159:

     This sounds like we are playing number games, and I wonder if 20000 megawatts is a realistic guess.

   • 2011, David Gilmour, The Pursuit of Italy: A History of a Land, Its Regions, and Their Peoples, page 389:

     To many of their compatriots, politicians seem an innately frivolous breed. […] When they have to retire backstage, they spend their time playing number games, plotting new combinations, making and unmaking coalitions.

   • (Can we date this quote?), Liam Miller, Memento Mori:

     "In other words, they were playing number games with an author so they didn't look bad to their investors. They do it a lot."

2. plural of number game: lotteries, numbers games.
   • 1990, John Dombrink, William Norman Thompson, The Last Resort: Success And Failure In Campaigns For Casinos, page 99:

     Like several other northeastern states, New York has also legalized various forms of lottery and number games.

   • 1993, Peter DeLeon, Thinking About Political Corruption, page 36:

     The functional argument also encompasses the "victimless crime" issue: prostitution, narcotics, and number games are illegal, yet they flourish and are indeed eagerly sought out by everyday citizens.

Usage notes

The singular form number game often refers to a literal game involving numbers, such as one children might play.

See also

• numbers game