Expressions used in Everyday Spoken English in Social and Professional contexts
play your cards right
play your cards right
Meaning(s)
1) do something well/strategically, do something in the appropriate way in order to get a good result
How to MemorizePopularity HighProfessional HighSocial
if you play your cards right, sth (good) might happen
Analysis
To 'play your cards right' is an idiom meaning to do something that should give you an advantage or to behave in a way which produces specific strategic results.
Social Examples (Advance)
I'm hoping if I play my cards right, I can finish my Ph.D. early and still have some money to travel.
If I play my cards right I can get a grant to help me start my business.
Professional Examples (Basic)
If you play your cards right, you could get a promotion within the year.
If we play our cards right we can decrease churn by a significant percentage by implementing these techniques.