Show your hand
Meaning
To reveal one's true intentions, plans, or resources, especially after keeping them secret.
Origin
The phrase "show your hand" hails directly from the intense world of card games, most notably poker. In these games, players carefully conceal their cards, which represent their strength and strategy, until a specific moment—usually the end of a round, known as the showdown. To "show your hand" is to physically lay down your cards face up on the table, revealing their value to your opponents and the dealer. This critical act, a pivotal turning point in any hand of poker, came to symbolize the revelation of one's true position, intentions, or hidden resources in any negotiation or competitive situation, moving seamlessly from the card table into everyday language.
Examples
- After weeks of secret negotiations, the CEO was finally forced to show their hand during the press conference.
- Don't show your hand too early in the poker game; wait for the right moment to reveal your strategy.