play the victim card

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play the victim card (third-person singular simple present plays the victim card, present participle playing the victim card, simple past and past participle played the victim card)

1. (idiomatic) To portray oneself as an innocent victim instead of taking responsibility.

   The serial killer played the victim card as he blamed others for his actions.

• The phrase "play the - card" can be used for a variety of issues or qualities exploited to gain sympathy such as race, gender, sexuality, (advanced) age, disability, physical or mental health, etc.