hold (all/all of) the cards

phrase

: to be in control of a situation and have the power to make decisions

It's your decision. You're holding all the cards.

Examples of hold (all/all of) the cards in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In this world, the men hold the cards, said Amelia Gentleman in The Guardian. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 Feb. 2026

But the incident also highlights a new era in which companies hold all the cards as employees have transitioned from job hopping to job hugging. — Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026

The 49ers hold all the cards, all the chips, and the best backup quarterback in the league. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2025

The Kansas City Royals hold all the cards in their pursuit of a second straight playoff appearance. — Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025

The power dynamic is shifting; employees, especially younger generations, increasingly hold the cards. — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025