The phrase "are in the cards" is frequently used to indicate that something is likely to happen. In terms of spelling, "are" is pronounced /ɑr/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the "a" sound being pronounced like the "a" in "car" and the "r" sound being pronounced clearly. This contrasts with the more common pronunciation of "are" as the unstressed vowel sound /ər/. "Cards" is pronounced /kɑrds/ in IPA, with the same "a" sound as in "are" and a clear "d" sound at the end.
"Are in the cards" is an idiomatic expression that implies the possibility or likelihood of something happening or occurring in the future. This phrase originates from the practice of cartomancy, a form of divination or fortune-telling using playing cards. In cartomancy, the cards are shuffled and selected in a specific pattern or sequence to gain insights into someone's future or to answer questions about the likelihood of certain events happening.
When something "is in the cards," it means it is a potential outcome or a likely occurrence based on the current circumstances, actions, or factors at play. This phrase suggests that the event or situation being discussed has a high chance of happening, as predicted by the cards or as implied by the signs and signals being observed.
The use of "are in the cards" is often figurative and can be applied to a wide range of scenarios. It can refer to both positive and negative possibilities and is commonly employed when discussing future plans, prospects, or predictions. For example, if someone says, "Job promotions are in the cards for you," it means that there is a high likelihood or expectation of them receiving a promotion in the future. Conversely, if they say, "Failure is in the cards," it suggests that failure is a likely outcome. Overall, "are in the cards" signifies the possibility or probability of something occurring, analogous to the divinatory predictions made using playing cards in the art of cartomancy.