avoir les cartes en main

French

Etymology

Literally, “to have the cards in the hand”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.vwaʁ le kaʁ.t‿ɑ̃ mɛ̃/

• Audio

  (file)

Verb

avoir les cartes en main

1. (figuratively) to hold the cards, to hold all the aces (to be in a strong position, possessing significant advantages over someone else)
2. (figuratively) to have everything one needs to do something, to deal with a situation, a problem

   avoir toutes les cartes en main pour prendre une décision ― to have all that is necessary to make a decision

   avoir toutes les cartes en main pour réussir ― to have all that is needed to succeed

Usage notes

• In sense 2, chiefly used with toutes: avoir toutes les cartes en main.