show one's hand
Expose your strategy
To show one's hand is to reveal one's intentions, resources, or strategy—from card games where exposing your cards gives opponents an advantage.
The phrase usually implies premature or disadvantageous disclosure: She didn't want to show her hand before negotiations began.
By reacting so strongly, he showed his hand.
- announceState something officially
- exposeMake known publicly
- pokerHearth implement for coals
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
play your cards · reveal · opponent · cards · strategy · uncover · confess · premature · giveaway · tactics · hidden agenda · secret weapon · tip-off · give the game away · disclose · admit · telegraph · risk
show one's handkeep one's cards close to one's chest
Withhold information strategically
keep one's counsel · keep mum · hold back · keep one's powder dry · bide one's time
show one's handkeep one's counsel
Refrain from sharing views
keep mum · dissemble · keep secret · keep one's own counsel · hedge
show, shows, showed, shown, showing, showy, showily, showiness, ones