in the cards
Likely or certain to happen

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

in the cards
very likely to happen.
I think winning the World Series this year is definitely in the cards for Boston.

Some reports suggest that a tax cut is still on the cards.

Etymology: based on the use of tarot cards (= a set of cards with pictures representing different parts of life) that are believed to be able to show what will happen in the future

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

in the cards
to be expected, likely to happen, predictable (as in using playing cards or tarot cards to tell the future)
Although the airport expansion was in the cards nobody knew exactly when it would begin.

I think that a new company policy is in the cards but I can't be sure.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

in the cards
adj. phr., informal To be expected; likely to happen; foreseeable; predictable.
It was in the cards for the son to succeed his father as head of the business.
John finally decided that it wasn't in the cards for him to succeed with that company.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲