playing your cards close to your chest

Definitions

• being secretive
  To keep one's plans, intentions, or thoughts hidden from others

• being cautious
  To be careful and guarded in one's actions or decisions, not revealing too much too soon

Examples of playing your cards close to your chest

• The business owner seemed to be hiding something during the meeting as she kept playing her cards close to her chest.

  This idiom is used to describe someone who is strategically keeping their plans or intentions secret, especially in a situation where they are negotiating or making important decisions. The image here is of someone holding a set of playing cards in their hand and keeping them close to their chest so that their opponent can't see them. This metaphorical expression suggests that the person is being extremely cautious about revealing their true hand, perhaps because they are uncertain of the best move to make or because they are trying to outmaneuver others. In the context of the example, the business owner's reluctance to share her true intentions may have left the other meeting participants feeling uneasy or uncertain about the direction of the business.

• The politician has been playing her cards close to her chest regarding her views on the upcoming referendum, leaving it unclear which way she will vote.

  As the saying goes, politics is a game, and this particular politician seems to be playing it close to the chest. By keeping her true political stance on the referendum a secret, she is able to maintain a level of ambiguity and uncertainty, which can be useful in a number of ways. For one, it allows her to maintain her bargaining power and influence, as other politicians and voters may be less likely to make decisive moves if they are unsure about where the politician stands. It also allows her to avoid committing to a position that may be unpopular or come back to haunt her. However, keeping her cards too close to the chest could also be risky, as it may make her appear indecisive or weak, and could potentially damage her credibility in the long run. It will be interesting to see how this politician plays her hand in the future.

• The coach kept playing his cards close to his chest during the team's losing streak, refusing to make any drastic changes to the starting lineup.

  In sports, a coach's job is to strategically lead their team to victory. However, sometimes a losing streak can leave a coach feeling uncertain about how best to turn things around. In this particular example, the coach's reluctance to make any drastic changes to the starting lineup is reminiscent of someone holding on to their cards in the hopes of drawing a winning hand. However, this strategy may not be working in the coach's favor, as the team's losing streak continues. Keeping his players in the same positions may have left the coach feeling unsure about whether to make big, bold moves, or whether to keep waiting for the right cards to fall into place. Ultimately, the coach's decision to play his cards close to the chest may be costing his team precious wins and points, and may require a new strategy to turn things around.

• The musician kept playing his cards close to his chest during the interview, refusing to reveal anything about his upcoming album.

  In the world of music, fans are always eager to know what their favorite musicians are working on. However, in this case, the musician's reluctance to reveal anything about his upcoming album is reminiscent of someone holding onto their cards, unwilling to share their true intentions. By keeping his cards close to the chest, the musician is able to maintain a level of intrigue and excitement, which can help generate buzz and interest in the album. However, keeping his listeners in the dark for too long could also backfire, as they may begin to lose patience and move on to other musicians. It will be fascinating to see how the musician plays his hand in the future, and whether his strategy pays off in the end.

• In a high-stakes poker game, Jane kept her cards tightly gripped and close to her chest, indicating that she wasn't willing to reveal her hand to the other players.

  "Playing your cards close to your chest" is a metaphorical expression that implies keeping secrets or being cautious and discreet in revealing one's plans or intentions. In a poker game, players try to win by forming the best hand possible out of their cards. By keeping her cards close to her chest, Jane was preventing other players from seeing her cards and potentially stealing her winning hand. It also shows that Jane is a strategic and cautious player who values keeping her options open.

• During a crucial negotiation, Tom maintained a poker face and kept his cards close to his chest, not revealing his true intentions to his opponent.

  In this example, the idiom is used in a business or professional context. Tom's poker face and secretive behavior during the negotiation suggests that he is skilled at negotiating and willing to keep his true intentions hidden until the right moment. "Playing your cards close to your chest" can also mean being cautious and thoughtful in decision-making, rather than revealing everything to others.

• After being passed over for a promotion, Ted kept his head down and played his cards close to his chest, waiting for the right opportunity to prove himself.

  This example shows that Ted is a patient and strategic individual who realizes that sometimes it's better to wait for the right moment to act rather than making impulsive decisions. "Playing your cards close to your chest" can also mean being discreet and biding one's time in order to maximize the benefits of a situation.

• During a tense diplomatic meeting, the representatives from both sides kept their cards close to their chests, negotiating carefully and cautiously.

  This example shows that "playing your cards close to your chest" can also be used in a diplomatic or political context. In this case, it suggests that both sides are being careful and cautious in their negotiations, withholding important information or intentions until the right moment. It may also imply that neither side wants to reveal too much too soon, in order to maintain a strategic advantage.

Conclusion

The idiom "playing your cards close to your chest" is often used to describe someone who is secretive or cautious in their actions. It can refer to keeping plans or intentions hidden from others, or being careful and guarded in one's decisions. This idiom is commonly used in situations where discretion and careful consideration are valued.

When someone is "playing their cards close to their chest," they may be intentionally keeping their thoughts and plans hidden in order to maintain an advantage, avoid potential conflicts, or simply to maintain a sense of privacy. It can also indicate a sense of caution and a desire to carefully consider one's options before revealing too much to others.

In conclusion, the idiom "playing your cards close to your chest" is used to convey the idea of being secretive or cautious in one's actions and decisions, and is often employed in contexts where discretion and careful consideration are important.

Origin of "playing your cards close to your chest"

The origin of the idiom "playing your cards close to your chest" can be traced back to the game of poker, where players hold their cards close to their chest or body to prevent other players from seeing them. By keeping their cards hidden, players can maintain an element of surprise and strategic advantage during the game. Over time, the idiom has come to be used more broadly to describe the act of being secretive or cautious in one's actions and decisions, extending beyond the context of card games.

The idiom is thought to have originated in the 19th century, and its association with poker and other card games has contributed to its widespread use in English-speaking countries. The image of someone holding their cards close to their chest has become a metaphor for keeping one's intentions or plans hidden from others, and it continues to be a popular and widely understood idiom in modern usage.