Dictionary

on the cards en · ADP

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Originally referring to the predictions of fortune-tellers using cards.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) Likely to occur, probable.
   • "After all, there are two ends to every stick," he reminded her, "and it's quite on the cards for mine to be the one that next waggles. […]" 1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:
   • Wolves, sensing the comeback of all comebacks was on the cards, kept pressing and set up an exciting finish when Ronald Zubar's header was judged to have crossed the line, even though it appeared that Nigel de Jong had successfully cleared the effort. 2011 January 15, Saj Chowdhury, “Man City 4 - 3 Wolves”, in BBC:

Forms