ring in one's nose

ring in one's nose

1. (gambling, slang) A compulsion to gamble regardless of one's losses.
   • 2010, Steven R. Schirripa, Charles Fleming, The Goomba's Book of Love:

     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.

   • 2017, Paul Dickson, Leo Durocher: Baseball's Prodigal Son:

     He admitted in a dugout interview in 1969 that there was a time when he “had a ring in his nose” and once lost $8,000 two days in a row at the track.