one-armed bandit

or onearm bandit

[ wuhn-ahrmd ]

noun

, Informal.

1. slot machine ( def 1 ).

one-armed bandit

noun

1. a fruit machine operated by pulling down a lever at one side

Word History and Origins

Origin of one-armed bandit¹

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Idioms and Phrases

A slot machine, as in It's amazing how many people think they can make money playing a one-armed bandit . This term refers to both appearance and function: the operating lever looks like an arm, and the machine in effect robs players, since it “wins” and keeps the player's money in an overwhelming majority of instances. [c. 1930]

Example Sentences

In politics, the one-armed bandit is the best friend you are going to find.

From Washington Times

“Everyone wanted to see the one-armed bandit,” says Murphy.

From The Guardian

So LuPone leaned into the interest, later making little video tours on Twitter that include her subterranean one-armed bandit, a massage table, mementos, her desk and a pinball machine.

From Washington Times

Whenever the store's one-armed bandit had to be serviced, Isaac would watch the repairman open the machine and expose its secrets.

From Salon

And the slot machines – digital and complex – have come a long way from the days of the one-armed bandit.

From The Guardian