on the cards (US English = in the cards)
idiom

- to be likely to happen

(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

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The word "card" is from the 14th century and stems from the Middle French carte and further from the Latin charta (leaf of paper, tablet) and Greek khartes (layer of papyrus). The modern form is influenced by the Italian carta. Card has cognates in several other European languages including the German Karte and Karton (English cardboard, cardboard box or simply box).

Depending on the context and how it is used in compound nouns, the German Karte translates to the English ticket, such as in Fahrkarte (subway ticket, bus ticket, etc.) or the English map (geography). Caution is therefore advised when trying to directly translate such words. This can often lead to embarrassing mistakes. A Speisekarte is not a "food card" or an "eating card," rather a menu.

There are exceptions however, such as playing card (Spielkarte) and tarot cards (Tarockkarten), which brings us to the expression "on the cards." This idiom, and its US equivalent "in the cards," is based on the use of tarot cards which have pictures representing different parts of life. Tarot card readers believe the cards tell what will happen in the future.

Playing cards have produced several other expressions such as:

- play your cards right = to work or negotiate correctly and skilfully (Play your cards right and you might get that promotion)

- hold all the cards = to have what is needed to control a situation (He won't negotiate if he knows he is holding all the cards)

- put your cards on the table = to truthfully explain what you know or think (I always begin meetings by putting my cards on the table)

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SYNONYMS

likely, probable, feasible

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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation

"It's on the cards that we'll get a salary raise this year."

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Thanks to Oliver for suggesting today's word!