hold (all/all of) the cards
idiom
: 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
San Antonio and Philadelphia hold the cards before the Charlotte Hornets are on the clock at No. 4, and there’s a little uncertainty with how things may unfold with the 76ers.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2025
What’s emerging is a market where sellers are making concessions and buyers hold the cards — a dramatic reversal from the bidding wars and cash offers that defined the market.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 2 June 2025
The draft espionage game is fun, but the Cleveland Browns, with the No. 2 pick, don’t hold all the cards.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
With Schumer saying that Democrats are not ready to proceed, the Democrats hold the cards.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
That’s difficult, though, when the notorious big bad (Xander Berkeley) always seems to hold all the cards.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Montana could hold all the cards for control of the Senate.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2024
Family members hold the cards as the moon and Pluto clash.
—USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2024
The Russians, who ultimately hold the cards, have held fast to Assad’s being part of the political process.
—Janine Di Giovanni, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2018
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Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2025
What’s emerging is a market where sellers are making concessions and buyers hold the cards — a dramatic reversal from the bidding wars and cash offers that defined the market.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 2 June 2025
The draft espionage game is fun, but the Cleveland Browns, with the No. 2 pick, don’t hold all the cards.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
With Schumer saying that Democrats are not ready to proceed, the Democrats hold the cards.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
That’s difficult, though, when the notorious big bad (Xander Berkeley) always seems to hold all the cards.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Montana could hold all the cards for control of the Senate.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2024
Family members hold the cards as the moon and Pluto clash.
—USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2024
The Russians, who ultimately hold the cards, have held fast to Assad’s being part of the political process.
—Janine Di Giovanni, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Hold (all/all of) the cards.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%20%28all%2Fall%20of%29%20the%20cards. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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