play one's cards right
make the best use of your opportunities or what you have, to take advantage of one's opportunities

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

play cards right
(if you) play (your) cards right
[informal]
something that you say to someone which means that if they behave in the right way, they might succeed at something.
Play your cards right and you could be managing this place in a year or so.

play (your) cards right
to do the correct things to achieve a desired result.
If I play my cards right, I could be hired as a consultant on that project.

Etymology: based on the idea of playing (= choosing and putting on the table) the right card at the right time in a card game
play (your) cards right
to do the correct things to achieve a desired result.
If I play my cards right, I could be hired as a consultant on that project.

Etymology: based on the idea of playing (= choosing and putting on the table) the right card at the right time in a card game

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play one's cards right
make the best use of your opportunities or what you have; to take advantage of one's opportunities
I told my friend that if he plays his cards right he will be able to go on the business trip to Europe.

"If you play your cards right you will probably get a promotion soon."

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play one's cards right
v. phr., informal 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.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲