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Learn more English in a Minute
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Introduction
Do you know any games to play with cards? There are a few phrases in English about card games. Here, you can learn what it means to lay all your cards on the table... and more!
Phrases with 'cards'
play your cards right
act wisely in order to get what you want
- If you play your cards right, I might cook you dinner.
put/lay your cards on the table
be open and honest about your intentions or feelings
- He’s been quiet all week but he finally put all his cards on the table and told me he was unsure about this relationship.
keep/hold your cards close to your chest
be secretive about your feelings or intentions
- Dad’s planning something for Mum’s birthday but he’s keeping his cards very close to his chest – I have no idea what’s going on.
on the cards
possible or likely
- We’ve booked a group tour of the city and the organisers said there might be a free boat trip on the cards.
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Download a free transcript!
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TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Georgie
These are cards… and there are some phrases with 'cards'. Here are four:
If you play your cards right, it means you act wisely in order to get what you want.
I brought cake into the office today, so if you play your cards right, I might give you some.
If you put or lay yourcards on the table, you're open and honest about your intentions or feelings.
OK, everyone. Cards on the table. Do we want to continue with this project or not?
If you keep or hold your cards close to your chest, it's the opposite. You're secretive about your feelings or intentions.
I tried talking to him, but he's keepinghiscards very close to his chest.
Finally, if something is on the cards, then it might happen.
A concert tour from my favourite artist might be on the cards this year. Fingers crossed!
OK. All cards on the table… I think you should learn these phrases and practise them this week.
Next
Learn more about 'it's on the cards' in The English We Speak: It's on the cards.
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