play (right) into (one's) hands

To unwittingly do exactly what one wants or needs in order for one's plans or schemes to succeed. Don't waste your time investigating her husband! You're playing into the real killer's hands! These media reports play right into the senator's hands—he just wants something else to distract from the important issues.

play into someone's hands

COMMON If you play into someone's hands, you do something that gives them an advantage over you or helps them defeat you. Trying to prevent an investigation plays right into the hands of our critics. Differences of opinion over policy could play into the hands of the country's enemies.

play into someone's hands

act in such a way as unintentionally to give someone an advantage.