in the cards

English

Etymology

Referring to the reading of tarot cards to foresee the future.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Prepositional phrase

in the cards

1. (idiomatic) Destined or fated to happen; predicted or foreseen.

   I don't think another child is in the cards for them.

   • 1947, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Appropriations, Government Corporations Appropriation Bill for 1948, page 31:

     You will not sell enough to put in your eye. It is not in the cards.