It's on the cards
Rob and Feifei are playing cards and he is winning every single game. She's distracted—until Neil tells her what's on the cards!
Rob
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Rob and I've won yet another card game! Yes!
Feifei
Hello everyone. I'm Feifei and I've just lost to him again ...
Rob
It's not surprising. You've been very distracted all morning.
Feifei
There's a promotion coming up and I wonder if I'll get it.
Rob
Well, you work hard Feifei. I'm sure a promotion is on the cards.
Feifei
It's on the cards?! But I haven't been paying much attention to them! Which cards?
Rob
No, it's not actually written on any cards. It's an expression. In British English, we say something 'is ON the cards'—or 'IN the cards' in American English—when we mean that something is likely to happen.
Feifei
So you mean that it's possible and even likely that I'll get a promotion because I work hard?
Rob
Yes. Here are some examples of how this expression is used:
Examples
Wage rises are on the cards in the UK. There are now signs that things are getting better for ordinary British workers.
My son might be ready to settle down. He's had lots of girlfriends but now he's going steady with a colleague and a wedding might be on the cards.
Feifei
Great! So I'm likely to get that promotion. It's on the cards!
Rob
Yes. And there's something else on the cards today.
Feifei
Oh really, what is it?
Rob
I'm going to win another round of this game! Look, I've got three aces now!
Feifei
OK. You deserve it. You are a good player and have luck on your side. Another win is definitely on the cards!
Rob
Great! I'm on a roll!
Both
Bye!