show one's cards
Expose your hand
To show one's cards is to reveal one's intentions, resources, or strategy—information previously kept hidden.
From card games where concealing your hand is essential to winning.
The phrase usually implies strategic disclosure, often premature or forced: She wasn't ready to show her cards yet.
The negotiation stalled until both sides showed their cards.
- pokerHearth implement for coals
- poker faceIntentionally expressionless look
- discloseReveal hidden information
- spill the beansReveal confidential information
- openNot closed
divulge · candid · forthright · upfront · reveal · truthful · declare · authentic · no holds barred · all in · expose · straightforward · hand · admit · confess · strategy · hidden agenda · sincere
show one's cardskeep one's cards close to one's chest
Withhold information strategically
keep mum · keep one's counsel · keep secret · hold back · dissemble
show one's cardsbide one's time
Wait for opportunity
hold back · wait and see · keep one's options open · hedge one's bets · hold fire
show, shows, showed, shown, showing, showy, showier, showiest, showily