in the cards

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the cards" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English, which means "very likely".
You can use it in any informal or formal written context where you need to say something is very likely. For example: "Given the current financial situation, winning the lottery is not in the cards for most people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It wasn't in the cards".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not in the cards".

The New York Times

That's not in the cards.

The New York Times

That isn't in the cards.

The New York Times

"It's just not in the cards.

The New York Times - Sports

More acquisitions could be in the cards.

The New York Times

But that was never in the cards.

The New York Times

Expansion was always in the cards.

The New York Times

That's no longer in the cards".

The New York Times

But it's in the cards.

The New York Times

That's not in the cards," Gluck said.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the cards" to suggest a high probability or inevitability of an event, especially when discussing future plans or possibilities. For instance, 'With their current performance, a promotion is definitely "in the cards" for Sarah'.

Common error

Avoid using "in the cards" to simply express a wish or hope. It's about probability, not preference. Instead of saying 'I hope a vacation is "in the cards" this year', which implies it's predetermined, say 'I hope I can take a vacation this year'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the cards" primarily functions as an idiomatic adjective phrase. Ludwig showcases its role in modifying or describing a situation as predetermined or very likely. This is in line with Ludwig AI confirming it as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the cards" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to convey that something is very likely or destined to happen. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its frequency is high, especially in news and media, suggesting its widespread acceptance. When writing, it's crucial to use this phrase to indicate likelihood, not just personal desire, and to remember that similar phrases like "likely to happen" or "destined to occur" can offer alternative nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all but certain

Conveys a very high degree of probability.

likely to happen

Focuses on the probability of an event occurring.

liable to happen

Similar to 'likely', but sometimes suggests a negative outcome.

destined to occur

Emphasizes fate or predetermination.

on the horizon

Suggests something is imminent or approaching.

in the offing

Indicates that something is likely to happen soon, often used in a more formal context.

coming down the pike

A more informal way of saying something is coming or forthcoming.

a foregone conclusion

Implies that the outcome is already determined and inevitable.

to be expected

Highlights that an event is not surprising or unusual.

written in the stars

Similar to 'destined', but with a more romantic or mystical connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "in the cards" in a sentence?

Use "in the cards" to indicate that something is likely or destined to happen. For example, "Given her hard work, a promotion is definitely "in the cards".

What's a more formal way to say "in the cards"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "likely to happen" or "to be expected" instead of "in the cards".

Is it correct to say something is 'not in the cards'?

Yes, saying something is 'not in the cards' means it's unlikely or impossible. For instance, "Winning the championship this year is just not "in the cards" for our team".

What's the difference between "in the cards" and "on the horizon"?

"In the cards" suggests something is likely or destined, while "on the horizon" implies something is approaching or imminent, but not necessarily certain.