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Prepositions after verbs

Gamble on or gamble with?

Gamble on and gamble with are both correct, but they mean different things. Gamble on refers to the thing you risk money or hopes on. Gamble with refers to the money, tools, or resources used in the gamble.

Quick answer

Which preposition should you use with gamble?

Use gamble on for the person, outcome, or idea you are betting on. Use gamble with for the money or resources involved in the risk.

They gambled on the underdog team.
He refused to gamble with borrowed money.
Investors are gambling on a quick recovery.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
gamble on + outcome/person/idea

Betting or taking a risk on something

Use on for the thing whose success or failure matters.

She gambled on a new business idea.
Fans are gambling on the final match.
2
gamble with + money/resources

Using something in a risky way

Use with for the money, savings, or resources involved in the risk.

He gambled with his life savings.
They should not gamble with public funds.
3
gamble away + possession

Losing something through gambling

Use gamble away to show that something was lost because of gambling or risky behaviour.

He gambled away his inheritance.
She gambled away her savings in a year.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
gamble on
They gambled on a young player.
Shows the person, plan, or result being risked on.
gamble with
He gambled with company money.
Shows the money or resources involved in the risk.
gamble away
She gambled away her paycheck.
Means to lose something through gambling.
bet on
Thousands bet on the race.
A close synonym often used for actual betting.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using with for the thing being predicted

Use on for the outcome or idea you support or risk on.

✕ They gambled with the election result. ✓ They gambled on the election result.

Using on for the money involved

Use with for the money or resources being risked.

✕ He gambled on his savings. ✓ He gambled with his savings.

Confusing gamble with play

Gamble implies financial or serious risk.

✓ They gambled on the startup despite the uncertainty.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She is gambling ___ a major market recovery.
2. He gambled ___ money he could not afford to lose.
3. The actor gambled ___ a risky career move.

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Frequently asked questions

Can gamble on refer to non-financial risks?

Yes. You can gamble on a decision, strategy, or opportunity.

Does gamble with always involve money?

No. It can also refer to resources, safety, reputation, or other valuable things.

What is the difference between gamble on and bet on?

Bet on is often used for specific wagers, while gamble on can also describe broader risky decisions.

gain, from, gain, by "gasp for" or "gasp in"? "gather in" or "gather at"? "gaze at" or "gaze into"? generate by, from, in, for or at? get to, into, in, out or on? giggle at, to, about, like or with? "give to", "give in" or "give by"? glance at, through, around, over or in? glare at, from, after, before or in? glean from, by, in, at or for? "glow in" or "glow with"?

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