What is "con game"

con game \con game\ n. Same as confidence game. [PJC] ||

Confidence \Con"fi*dence\, n. [L. confidentia firm trust in, self-confidence: cf. F. confidence.]

1. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in.

   Society is built upon trust, and trust upon confidence of one another's integrity.
   --South.

   A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
   --Macaulay.

2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.

   The Lord shall be thy confidence.
   --Prov. iii. 26.

3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed.

   Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go forth to-day.
   --Shak.

   But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial.
   --Milton.

4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were confidences between them.

   Sir, I desire some confidence with you.
   --Shak.

   Confidence game, any swindling operation in which advantage is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the swindler; several swindlers often work together to create the illusion of truth; -- also called con game.

   Confidence man, a swindler.

   To take into one's confidence, to admit to a knowledge of one's feelings, purposes, or affairs.

   Syn: Trust; assurance; expectation; hope.

   I am confident that very much be done.
   --Boyle.

   2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.

   Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are but thyself.
   --Shak.

   3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.

   As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.
   --Shak.

   4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault; dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.

   The fool rageth and is confident.
   --Prov. xiv. 16.

5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.]

   The cause was more confident than the event was prosperous.
   --Jer. Taylor.

n. A swindle in which the mark, or victim, is defrauded after his or her trust has been won.

n. a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property [syn: bunco, bunco game, bunko, bunko game, con, confidence trick, confidence game, gyp, hustle, sting, flimflam]