in the cards

English

Etymology

Referring to the reading of tarot cards to foresee the future.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Prepositional phrase

in the cards

1. (idiomatic) Destined or fated to happen; predicted or foreseen.

   I don't think another child is in the cards for them.

   • 1947, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Appropriations, Government Corporations Appropriation Bill for 1948, page 31:

     You will not sell enough to put in your eye. It is not in the cards.

   • 2024 October 8, Lauren Gruber, Megan Uy, “We Found Sooo Many Viral TikTok Items on Sale for October Prime Day”, in Cosmopolitan‎^[1]:

     Sometimes a trip to the spa is not in the cards, even if your gel manicure has seen waaaay better days. These polish remover tools help cut costs and keep your natural nails looking v nice.