play all one's cards

play all one's cards (third-person singular simple present plays all one's cards, present participle playing all one's cards, simple past and past participle played all one's cards)

1. (idiomatic) To use all one's resources.

   Synonym: play all one's cards at once

   • 1980, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (lyrics and music), “The Winner Takes It All”, in Super Trouper, performed by ABBA:

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

   • 2012, Paul Watson, Up Pohnpei:

     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.