be on the cards

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. be on the cards meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "be on the cards"

Meaning

The phrase "be on the cards" is an idiom that is used to indicate that something is likely to happen, although not with absolute certainty. It is used to express expectation or the possibility of a certain outcome. This idiom is commonly used in British English.

Etymology

The idiom "be on the cards" originates from the card game, bridge. It is derived from the phrase "turn up trumps", which dates back to the 1600s and originally referred to the card games of primero and trump. In these games, a player would win if they were able to turn up a trump card. This phrase was then adapted to mean the successful outcome of any undertaking or venture. Later, the phrase that we know today, "be on the cards", was adopted to mean the same thing.

Usage

The phrase "be on the cards" can be used to express expectation or the possibility of a certain outcome. It is usually used to indicate that something is likely to happen, but there is still some doubt or uncertainty about the final result. It can be used in a variety of contexts and does not necessarily have to refer to something negative. For example, it could be used to refer to a positive outcome, such as winning a prize. It can also be used to refer to an event or situation that is likely to occur in the future.

Example Sentences

• "I think promotion might be on the cards for me at work."
• "With such a good track record, a pay rise might be on the cards."
• "I think another vacation is on the cards with the way things are going."

The universal role of idioms

"Kill two birds with one stone" is an English idiom that means to accomplish two things with a single action. In French, the similar idiom is "Faire d'une pierre deux coups," which translates to "To kill two birds with one stone." This idiom highlights the efficiency of completing two tasks with one action.