play one's cards right
Handle things shrewdly
To play one's cards right is to handle a situation shrewdly, making good decisions to maximize advantage.
The metaphor comes from card games where skill in playing what you're dealt determines success: If you play your cards right, you could be running this department in five years.
The phrase implies that favorable outcomes depend on strategic choices rather than luck alone.
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- strategic movePurposeful action for advantage
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
persuasion · leverage · upper hand · planning · game plan · maneuvering · prudence · timing · odds · risk-taking · high stakes · negotiation · long game · shrewdness · networking · tactics · opportunity · ace up sleeve
play one's cards rightblow it
Fail at crucial moment
screw up · mess up · drop the ball · shoot oneself in the foot · snatch defeat from the jaws of victory
play one's cards rightthrow caution to the wind
Act recklessly, disregarding consequences
wing it · fly by the seat of one's pants · go off half-cocked · play fast and loose · tip one's hand
plays, played, playing, player, players, playful, playfulness, cards, carded