Its on the cards

Rob Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Rob and I’ve won yet another card game! Yes!

Feifei Hello everyone. I’m Feifei and I’ve just lost to him again…

Rob It’s not surprising. You’ve been very distracted all morning.

Feifei There’s a promotion coming up and I wonder if I’ll get it.

Rob Well, you work hard Feifei. I’m sure a promotion is on the cards.

Feifei It’s on the cards?! But I haven’t been paying much attention to them! Which cards?

Rob No, it’s not actually written on any cards. It’s an expression. In British English, we say something ‘is ON the cards’ - or ‘IN the cards’ in American English - when we mean that something is likely to happen.

Feifei So you mean that it’s possible and even likely that I’ll get a promotion because I work hard?

Rob Yes. Here are some examples of how this expression is used:

Examples Wage rises are on the cards in the UK. There are now signs that things are getting better for ordinary British workers.

My son might be ready to settle down. He’s had lots of girlfriends but now he’s going steady with a colleague and a wedding might be on the cards.

Feifei Great! So I’m likely to get that promotion. It’s on the cards!

Rob Yes. And there’s something else on the cards today.

Feifei Oh really, what is it?

Rob I’m going to win another round of this game! Look, I’ve got three aces now!

Feifei OK. You deserve it. You are a good player and have luck on your side. Another win is definitely on the cards!

Rob Great! I’m on a roll!

Both Bye!