hold (all) the cards
1hold all the cards — To have control over all of the factors that may determine the outcome of a situation • • • Main Entry: ↑card * * * hold/have/all the cards phrase to be in a good position to beat or defeat someone because you have all the advantages The… …
2hold all the cards — ► to be in a strong position when you are competing with someone else, because you have all the advantages: »Management holds all the cards when it comes to the negotiations over job cuts. Main Entry: ↑hold …
3hold all the cards — ► hold all the cards be in a very strong position. Main Entry: ↑card …
4hold all the cards — have/hold all the cards to be in a strong position when you are competing with someone else, because you have all the advantages. There isn t much hope of him getting custody of the children as far as the law goes, she holds all the cards …
5hold all the cards — to have what is needed to control a situation. He holds all the cards in our office he even decides where the water coolers are located and what kinds of pencils we have. Etymology: based on the idea of holding (= controlling) the most valuable… …
6have all the cards — hold/have/all the cards phrase to be in a good position to beat or defeat someone because you have all the advantages The kidnappers seemed to hold all the cards. Thesaurus: to be in a good, better or pleasant situationsynonym Main entry: card …
7hold all the cards — be in a very strong position. → card …
8have all the cards — have/hold all the cards to be in a strong position when you are competing with someone else, because you have all the advantages. There isn t much hope of him getting custody of the children as far as the law goes, she holds all the cards …
9hold all the trump cards — have the best chance of winning, have full control It will be difficult to do well in the negotiations with him as he holds all the trump cards …
10hold all the aces — have all of the best playing cards; have all of the advantages …
