to take advantage of a position to make oneself rich, particularly by using unfair or dishonest methods
1
to hold a / the candle to the Devil
phrase
to be comparable to someone who is very evil
2
to pull (some) strings
phrase
to gain advantage over others by making use of one's contacts and influence in an unfair way
3
not do (any) evil that good may / might come (out) of it
sentence
to avoid doing something bad or unethical for the sake of achieving something good
4
up to no good
phrase
about to do something bad or evil
5
to curry favor with sb
phrase
to try to impress someone using insincere praise for personal gain
6
to wheel and deal
phrase
to use various dishonest or complicated methods in order to gain things, particularly in politics or business
7
to fall into a trap
phrase
to be placed in a difficult position by believing something that is not true or trusting someone who lies
8
guinea pig
noun
someone on whom scientific experiments are tested
9
to grease one's hand / palm
phrase
to secretly offer someone money or anything of high value in order to persuade them to help one or do what one desires
10
ambulance chaser
noun
a lawyer who seeks out clients at the scenes of accidents or other tragedies, especially with the intention of earning money through legal action
11
to load the dice
phrase
to do something unfair in order to make a particular outcome more probable
12
to set a thief to catch a thief
phrase
to make use of a thief or criminal just to be able to anticipate, understand, or capture other criminals or thieves
13
to stack the cards / deck
phrase
to arrange situations or conditions to achieve a preferred result by giving oneself an unfair advantage
14
to lead sb (around) by the nose
phrase
to manipulate or control someone easily, typically by making them obediently follow one's commands or desires
15
to steal one's thunder
phrase
to use someone else's idea, plan, words, etc. in order to prevent them from reaching success or getting attention
16
to play games
phrase
to engage in activities or behaviors that involve deception, manipulation, or deceit in order to achieve a particular outcome, often at the expense of others
17
to sell ice to Eskimos
phrase
to convince someone to do something that seems unnecessary or redundant, especially to buy something they do not need