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What does "card" mean?

In addition to the idioms beginning with card, also see hold all the aces (the trump card); house of cards; in the cards; lay one's cards on the table; play one's cards close to one's chest play one's cards right; trump card; wild card.

See card in WNW Idioms

card up one's sleeve

a plan or resource kept secret or held in reserve

in the cards

likely or seemingly destined to happen: from the use of cards in fortunetelling

also Brit.on the cards

put one's cards on the table

or lay one's cards on the table

to reveal frankly one's intentions, schemes, resources, etc.

See card in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Idioms

card up (one's) sleeve

A secret resource or plan held in reserve: a tough negotiator who had a number of cards up his sleeve.

in the cards

Likely or certain to happen: My promotion to a higher position just isn't in the cards.

put

/lay (one's) cards on the table

To make frank and clear revelation, as of one's motives or intentions.

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