This idiom describes having complete control, advantage, or power in a situation, as if holding all the winning cards in a game. It conveys dominance or leverage, often used in professional, personal, or competitive contexts to depict being in charge. The phrase carries a tone of confidence, strategy, or superiority, reflecting cultural values of influence and the human tendency to seek control. Its card-playing imagery evokes a winning hand, resonating in scenarios like negotiations or disputes. The idiom emphasizes power, making it a strong metaphor for total control.

The phrase originated in 19th-century Britain, tied to card games like whist where holding key cards ensured victory, as noted in gaming manuals. Its earliest recorded use appears in *The Times* (1870s), for political leverage. The idiom gained traction in the early 20th century, amplified by business and political discourse, notably in *The Wall Street Journal* for corporate power. Its spread was boosted by media, enduring for its vivid imagery and applicability to advantage, especially in the U.K. and U.S.