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general::
Phrase(s): have the cards stacked against one [and] have the deck stacked against
one Fig. to have one’s chance at future success limited by factors over which one has no control; to have luck against one. • You can’t get very far in life if you have the deck stacked against you. • I can’t seem to get ahead. I always have the cards stacked against me.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs