The phrase “in the cards” means something is likely to happen. Its origin is thought to come from Tarot cards, which are used to predict the future. Tarot readings are based on centuries of knowledge, but some communities ban the practice. The phrase is often used to express an opinion about the likelihood of something happening, and is commonly used in journalism and opinion pieces.
The English language idiom, “in the cards,” is a phrase English speakers use to indicate whether or not something is likely to happen; a synonym for “in the cards” would be “probable”. The phrase can be used in a positive or negative way. Something that is “in the cards” is probable, whereas something that is “not in the cards” is less likely.
Reports of the phrase’s origin differ. It is commonly assumed that the phrase “in the cards” comes from a metaphor for physical cards. Specifically, the phrase most likely comes from the use of Tarot cards in predicting future outcomes.
The Tarot deck of cards is a very ancient set of cards with many variations, but with a consistent set of images and associations. Some trace the use of the Tarot deck back to ancient Egypt. Over time, the use of the Tarot deck has evolved. While people still use Tarot to tell the future, others use a modern variation of Tarot as playing cards. The impact of the Tarot deck on modern playing cards can be seen, for example, in the four suits of the conventional deck.
In Tarot readings, practitioners lay out a series of cards and attempt to use them to gain insight into a person’s character, to tell their future, or both. These readings are supported by a body of knowledge accumulated over the centuries. Many people believe in the predictive power of the Tarot, which has led to the popularity of saying that something is or isn’t “in the cards.” In some communities, however, Tarot is banned due to religious principles, and English speakers here may not be too keen on using the phrase “in the cards” to describe the likelihood of an event.
For those unfamiliar with the phrase, it’s important to note that the phrase is usually used by someone who is not used to using the Tarot. Rather than being an actual prediction based on divination, the phrase simply expresses someone’s opinion about the likelihood of something happening. Speakers or writers might use real facts about current events to support the idea that something is or isn’t “in the cards.” For example, this type of language is not uncommon in journalism, and even in the headlines of major opinion pieces about probable outcomes in business or finance, or any other topical area.
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