xanatos gambit
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A subtle plan (usually villainous) that cannot be foiled, such that attempts to defeat it actually further its creator's goals.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
It strikes me, as it no doubt has struck many of you, that this strategy is cynical. What may not have struck you is how cynical, how much of a Xanatos Gambit, this game their playing really is.
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 “xanatos gambit” mean?
A subtle plan (usually villainous) that cannot be foiled, such that attempts to defeat it actually further its creator's goals.
Is “xanatos gambit” formal or informal?
xanatos gambit is generally slang.