Turkish roulette

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableinformal

   A drinking game in which players take turns spinning a bottle or similar object, and the person it points to must drink.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used with a singular verb: 'Turkish roulette is dangerous.'

   Patterns

   • play Turkish roulette
   • a game of Turkish roulette

   At the party, they played Turkish roulette with a bottle and a lot of laughter.

   Turkish roulette is not a game for people who dislike strong drinks.

2. 2noununcountablefigurative

   A risky activity in which a person does something dangerous without knowing the outcome, hoping to avoid harm.

   Grammar: Uncountable; often used figuratively: 'It's like playing Turkish roulette.'

   Patterns

   • play Turkish roulette with something
   • it's Turkish roulette

   Driving without a seatbelt is like playing Turkish roulette with your life.

   Investing all your money in one company is a game of Turkish roulette.

Common combinations

play Turkish roulette

They decided to play Turkish roulette after dinner.

a game of Turkish roulette

It started as a game of Turkish roulette and ended with everyone laughing.

like Turkish roulette

Taking that shortcut in the dark was like Turkish roulette.

Synonyms and how they differ

Russian roulette

A deadly game with a gun; 'Turkish roulette' is a drinking game and is much less dangerous.

drinking game

A general term for any game involving alcohol; 'Turkish roulette' is a specific type.

Word family

roulette noun

A gambling game with a spinning wheel and a ball.

Commonly confused: Turkish roulette or Russian roulette?

Practice

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