false card

¹

noun

, Chiefly Bridge.

1. a card played to give an opponent a mistaken idea of the quality or length of one's holding in the suit led.

false-card

²

[ fawls-kahrd ]

verb (used without object)

, Chiefly Bridge.

1. to play a false card.

false-card

verb

1. intr bridge to play a misleading card, esp a high loser, in order to deceive an opponent

Word History and Origins

Origin of false card¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Authorities cancelled the false card at that time.

From BBC

The cases in which false cards can be played with advantage are rare, but sometimes, especially in trumps, success may follow the play of a false card.

From Project Gutenberg

It was his indignant repudiation of the charge that had misled me; but Casey’s constant and earnest asseveration—now strengthened by the after circumstances of the false card, and the failure to make an appearance—satisfied me that we had been in the company of a sharper.

From Project Gutenberg

“Oh, Jane—Jane, darling! please—please stop, only a minute,” he whined, for he knew that he had played a false card, and that it was time to withdraw it.

From Project Gutenberg

She professed her delight at the unexpected pleasure and then boldly played a false card.

From Project Gutenberg