If you play your cards right, you could get a promotion soon.
word origin — From card games — playing each card at the right moment with skill leads to winning the whole game.
play your cards right, bring something to the table, fall on deaf ears, know something like the back of your hand, jump the fence: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 53. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
play your cards right · idiom/pleɪ jʊr kɑrdz raɪt/
to act wisely in order to succeed
If you play your cards right, you could get a promotion soon.
Origin: From card games — playing each card at the right moment with skill leads to winning the whole game.
bring something to the table · idiom/brɪŋ ˈsʌmθɪŋ tu ðə ˈteɪbəl/
to contribute something valuable to a discussion or situation
She really brings a lot to the table with her experience and skills.
Origin: From the negotiating table — each party brings their own resources, skills, and value to share in discussions.
fall on deaf ears · idiom/fɔl ɔn dɛf ɪrz/
to be ignored or not listened to
I told him several times to submit his report, but my advice fell on deaf ears.
Origin: From the 1400s — words physically fall to the ground when received by ears that refuse to hear them.
know something like the back of your hand · idiom/noʊ laɪk ðə bæk əv jʊr hænd/
to know something very well
He knows the city like the back of his hand.
Origin: From the 1500s — the back of one's own hand was always visible and intimately familiar throughout daily life.
jump the fence · idiom/dʒʌmp ðə fɛns/
to switch sides in an argument or debate
At the last minute, she jumped the fence and supported the other side.
Origin: From animal farming — a sheep that jumps the fence leaves its own field for a neighboring side.