in the cards

1. Likely or certain to happen, as in I don't think Jim will win—it's just not in the cards. This term, originally put as on the cards, alludes to the cards used in fortune-telling. [Early 1800s]

Example Sentences

Hopping around after that is not in the cards for anybody.

From Salon

With his buzzy portrayal of Rick, a man obsessed with avenging his father’s death, in “Lotus,” an Emmy might finally be in the cards for the actor, a veteran of many critically beloved shows.

From Los Angeles Times

Although rescue was always in the cards for the teens who were stranded, it probably would have been better for them if those cards had never been dealt.

From Salon

With the story of "Yellowjackets" told in a split timeline we see, more and more, how although rescue was always in the cards for the teens who were stranded, it probably would have been better for them if those cards had never been dealt.

From Salon

During a visit to NBC's "Meet The Press," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent refused to weigh in on whether a recession was in the cards for Trump's second term and questioned whether Americans shouldn't set their aspirations a little lower.

From Salon

Related Words

• anticipation 
• chance 
• expectation 
• forecast 
• future 
• hope 
• likelihood 
• plan 
• possibility 
• probability 
• promise 
• proposal 
• thought