in the cards

phrase

variants or less commonly on the cards

: inevitable

success just wasn't in the cards for her

Examples of in the cards in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With the fight for the season's second place still on and rain in the cards, the Sao Paulo GP in Brazil could be one of the most entertaining races of the year so far. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

Industry insiders point out that, after absorbing Touchstone Television and then ABC Signature, 20th Television’s senior executive ranks under Burke had naturally expanded over the years, so streamlining the team via layoffs may be in the cards. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

And if a bedroom overhaul is in the cards, Saatva’s upholstered Halle storage platform bed offers a discreet place to stash extra bedding totally out of sight. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026

Once Trump goes, a return to a colder, harder, more calculating realpolitik is in the cards. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for in the cards

• bodyguards
• boulevards
• disregards
• backyards
• blackguards
• churchyards
• courtyards
• discards
• dockyards
• graveyards
• lifeguards
• postcards