it was in the cards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was in the cards" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that something was destined to happen or was inevitable. Example: "After all the signs pointed to it, I realized that my success in this project was in the cards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I just did not think it was in the cards.

University of California, Berkeley

We've thought it was in the cards before.

The New York Times

"It looked like it was in the cards," Valentine said.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe it was in the cards, however, since his birth, when his first name was plagiarized.

The New Yorker

"I don't have any pain, my resilience is the way you see, and I'm just thrilled that this was possible, and that it was in the cards, and that the company thought so, too".

The New York Times - Arts

It was in the cards.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But it's in the cards.

The New York Times

"It's in the cards," her partner, Mel Schoenfeld, 70, a psychiatrist, quipped.

The New York Times

No. "I don't think it's in the cards," he said.

The New York Times

"We'd like to play it, but I'm not sure it's in the cards," T.K. Wetherell, Florida State's president, said yesterday.

The New York Times

Q. Would you ever consider going public? A. We would consider going public at some point in time, though I would not say it's in the cards right now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was in the cards" when you want to suggest an event was predetermined or very likely to happen, often despite efforts to the contrary. It adds a sense of fate or inevitability to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was in the cards" to describe events that are merely probable or possible. The phrase implies a stronger sense of inevitability, so reserve it for situations where the outcome felt predetermined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was in the cards" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that an event was predetermined or inevitable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, aligning with examples that show its use in describing events viewed as destined to occur.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was in the cards" is an idiomatic expression used to convey a sense of inevitability or predetermination about an event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its prevalence in contexts like News & Media. While it's not particularly common (Uncommon frequency), the phrase is useful for expressing that an outcome felt destined, irrespective of circumstances. Alternatives include phrases like "it was meant to be" or "it was destined to happen". Use it judiciously to add a touch of fate to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was meant to be

Emphasizes fate or destiny as the driving force.

it was destined to happen

Highlights the predetermined nature of the event.

it was inevitable

Focuses on the impossibility of avoiding the outcome.

it was written in the stars

Implies a cosmic or astrological influence.

it was preordained

Suggests a divine or higher power had determined the outcome.

it was bound to occur

Indicates a high likelihood based on existing conditions.

it was simply a matter of time

Highlights the temporal aspect of the inevitability.

it was just a matter of course

Conveys that something happened according to a usual or logical pattern.

the die was cast

Suggests a point of no return, making the outcome unavoidable.

it couldn't be helped

Emphasizes the lack of agency or control over the situation.

FAQs

What does "it was in the cards" mean?

The expression "it was in the cards" means that something was destined to happen or was very likely to occur, often implying a sense of inevitability or predetermination.

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

You can use "it was in the cards" to suggest that an outcome was foreseeable or unavoidable, like in the sentence: "After all the signs pointed to it, I realized that my success in this project "was meant to be"."

What are some alternatives to "it was in the cards"?

Alternatives to "it was in the cards" include "it was meant to be", "it was destined to happen", or "it was inevitable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is in the cards" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is in the cards" is grammatically correct. However, the tense should align with the context. For example, use "it was in the cards" for past events and "it is in the cards" for present or future possibilities.