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3. have the cards stacked against

have the cards stacked against

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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.

See also: card, have, stacked