load the dice

Idioms and Phrases

Rig the odds so there is little chance for another person to win; cheat. For example, There's no way we can win this contest; they've loaded the dice . This expression is also put as the dice are loaded , as in There's no point in trying; the dice are loaded . This expression alludes to adding weight to one side or another of dice so that they will always come up with certain numbers facing upward. [Late 1800s]