play into hands

play (right) into (one's) hands

To unwittingly do exactly what someone wants or needs in order for their 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 president's hands.

See also: hand, play

play into someone's hands

Fig. [for a person one is scheming against] to assist one in one's scheming without realizing it. John is doing exactly what I hoped he would. He's playing into my hands. John played into my hands by taking the cash he found in my desk. I caught him and had him arrested.

See also: hand, play

play into the hands of

Act so as to give an advantage to an opponent, as in The senator played right into the hands of her opponents when she backed that unpopular amendment to the tax bill . [c. 1700]

See also: hand, of, play

play into (someone's) hands

To act or behave so as to give an advantage to an opponent.

See also: hand, play