Common Idioms for IELTS Topic Hold All The Cards

An idiom is a phrase or expression in which meaning cannot be directly understood by reading each word. For IELTS speaking candidates must learn how to use them accurately, so they don't sound unnatural. There are thousands of idioms and phrasal verbs used every day when we express ourselves. It is very important to consider the context of to whom or what the idiom is pointed towards. This particular IELTS speaking idiom ‘Hold All The Cards’ consists of exercises so that the candidates understand the accurate usage of this idiom in a conversation.

Topic: Hold All The Cards

Origin: To hold all the cards that have been in use since the mid-to-late 1800s. This idiom is more often used in American English. To hold all the cards- this expression is taken from card playing.

Meaning: Holding a strong position and controlling others over it, having control of a situation, having all the advantages possible in a circumstance, being ahead in a competition, and having all the power.

Synonyms: want for nothing, be the envy of, have the world at your feet, hold/have all the aces

Examples:

1. In my relationship, my husband holds all the cards.
2. The seniors held all the cards and the junior had no other option than to agree to their terms and conditions.
3. The secretary holds all the cards because she has been working there for the last 20 years.
4. Instead of holding all the cards and taking all the stress you should learn to go with the flow.
5. Being the senior-most in the family My Grandfather held all the cards and took all the decisions.

Also, check:

Exercise:

Understand the Usage of the Idiom in the Sentences:

1. The school’s management members hold all the cards; the principal just nods to what they say.

Explanation: In this sentence, the idiom is used to refer to the members of the management who have the power to make all the decisions, and others just have to follow that.

2. He was unhappy with his relationship as she was holding all the cards.

Explanation: Here the idiom is used by the man to express his unhappiness in his relationship. This is because the girlfriend took the power to make the decisions.

3. My sister has broken the vase, and now I hold all the cards to get her to do anything I want.

Explanation: The idiom is used here because one person has done something and the other was the witness of that incident. So she holds the power and can expose anytime she wants.

4. I am not allowed to go out with friends at night as my mom holds all the cards.

Explanation: Here the idiom expresses the power of the mother. The mother has the power to allow or stop the children from doing something.

5. She was known to be holding all the cards because of her intelligence.

Explanation: The idiom is used here to prove that because of her intelligence she has all the power and advantage of the situation.