ring in one's nose
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A compulsion to gamble regardless of one's losses.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
So, the dealers are thinking, “What a mamaluke! The guy's got a ring in his nose!” But then he comes back and plays some more. And all the guys like him, because he's funny and he's one of the boys and he tips big.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “ring in one's nose” mean?
A compulsion to gamble regardless of one's losses.
Is “ring in one's nose” formal or informal?
ring in one's nose is generally slang.