lay one's cards on the table
lay down one's cards
put one's cards on the table
To let someone know your position and interest openly; deal honestly; act without trickery or secrets.
In talking about buying the property, Peterson laid his cards on the table about his plans for it.
Some of the graduates of the school were unfriendly toward the new superintendent, but he put his cards on the table and won their support.
play one's cards right
play one's cards well
To use abilities and opportunities so as to be successful; act cleverly; make the best use of your place or skills.
That millionaire started with very little but showed a skill in playing his cards right.
People liked Harold, and he played his cards well - and soon he began to get ahead rapidly.
stack the cards
cards stacked against one
To arrange cards secretly and dishonestly for the purpose of cheating.
The gambler had stacked the cards against Bill.
To arrange things unfairly for or against a person; have things so that a person has an unfair advantage or disadvantage; make sure in an unfair way that things will happen. Usually used in the passive with in one's favor or against one.
A tall basketball player has the cards stacked in his favor.
The cards are stacked against a poor boy who wants to go to college.
trump card
Something kept back to be used to win success if nothing else works.
The coach saved his star pitcher for a trump card.
Mary had several ways to get Joan to come to her party. Her trump card was that the football captain would be there.