play all one's cards

present singular third person plays all one's cards · participle present playing all one's cards · participle past played all one's cards · past played all one's cards

1. idiomaticTo use all one's resources.

   I've played all my cards And that's what you've done too Nothing more to say No more ace to play

   1980, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, “The Winner Takes It All”, in Super Trouper, performed by ABBA

   1 more example

   We composed a calm email stating our 'interest in football in the region' and desire to 'find out more', deciding not to play all our cards at this stage.

   2012, Paul Watson, Up Pohnpei

   Synonyms: play all one's cards at once