play Russian roulette

to take foolish and dangerous risks She accused the hospital of playing Russian roulette with the health of poor children.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of Russian roulette (a dangerous game of chance in which you hold a gun containing one bullet to your head and shoot, winning if the bullet does not come out)

play Russian roulette

to take big risks, in a way which is very dangerous

Usage notes: Russian roulette is a very dangerous game where players aim a gun containing one bullet at their own heads.

(often + with ) I'm not willing to play Russian roulette with people's lives by drinking and driving.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Sinikka	SEE-neek-kah	Finnish
Sigfrid (1)	SEEG-freed	Swedish
Annmarie	AN-mə-ree	English
Maxine	[mæk'si:n]
Mavis	MAY-vis	English
Zhelyazko	-	Bulgarian