How to Pronounce "play your cards close to your vest"
expression
PLAY yor KARdz KLOHS tu yor VEST
play YAW KAHdz KLOHZ tu YAW VEST
Definition
To keep your plans, ideas, or intentions secret, not revealing what you are thinking or planning to others.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈpɫeɪ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈkɑɹdz/ /ˈkɫoʊs/, /ˈkɫoʊz/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈvɛst
British English
plˈeɪ/ /jˈɔː/ /kˈɑːdz/ /kləʊz/ /tˈuː/ /jˈɔː/ /vˈɛst
Simplified Pronunciation
US
PLAY yor KARdz KLOHS tu yor VEST
UK
play YAW KAHdz KLOHZ tu YAW VEST
Listen in Context
It's smart to play your cards close to your vest when you are making a deal.
She always plays her cards close to her vest at work.
If you play your cards close to your vest, people won’t know your next move.
He’s been playing his cards close to his vest about the new project—no one knows what he’s planning.