game the system
Bend the rules
To game the system is to exploit rules, loopholes, or procedures to gain advantage without technically breaking them.
The system being gamed might be tax law, academic grading, algorithmic feeds, or any structured process: He gamed the system by timing his trades to avoid reporting requirements.
The phrase implies cunning rather than outright cheating—working within the letter of the rules while violating their spirit.
- outsmartDefeat through superior cunning
- deceiveCause false belief
- cheatAct dishonestly to win
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- play the anglesExploit circumstances shrewdly
loophole · fine print · exploit · circumvent · bend the rules · manipulate · technicality · gray area · workaround · hack · letter of the law · fraud · unfair advantage · advantage · subvert · rigging · arbitrage · creative accounting
game the systemplay by the rules
Follow accepted procedures
follow the rules · play fair · play it straight · toe the line · comply
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