on the cards
Expected to occur
On the cards means likely to happen, within the realm of possibility: A merger is on the cards, Rain looks on the cards for tomorrow.
The phrase comes from fortune-telling with tarot or playing cards—if something appears in the cards, it's predicted.
British English favors on the cards; American English typically says in the cards.
- touch-and-goUncertain and risky
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- possibilityState of being achievable
- likelihoodChance something will occur
- fair chanceReasonable probability of success
chance · long shot · prediction · premonition · potential · odds · eventuality · feasibility · in store · bound to happen · sure thing · anticipation · projection · prophecy · outlook · plausibility · fated · estimation
on the cardsout of the question
Completely impossible to consider
impossible · ruled out · off the table · inconceivable · unlikely
on the cardsout of the blue
Without any forewarning
unexpected · unforeseen · surprising · unanticipated · bolt from the blue