show your hand

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show (one's) hand

To make one's plans, intentions, ideas, or resources known to others, especially those that were previously hidden or kept secret. (Also expressed as "show (one's) cards"; both phrases refer to displaying one's cards ("hand") during a card game.) In business negotiations, it's important that you don't show your hand right away, or you might risk losing out on the best deal possible. Pressure from the government is forcing the notoriously secretive CEO to show his hand regarding his company's tax profile and offshore accounts.

show your hand

If you show your hand, you let other people see what your position is and what you intend to do. On domestic politics he seemed unwilling to show his hand too clearly. It may be no accident that Manchester United have shown their hand in their attempt to lure David Hirst to Old Trafford. Note: You can replace show with reveal. The Portugal coach has yet to reveal his hand on how many changes he will be making to the team. Note: If you show your hand in a card game, you reveal your cards to another player.

show your hand (or cards)

disclose your plans.

The image here is of players revealing their cards in a card game.

show/reveal your ˈhand

(British English) (American English tip your ˈhand) do something which reveals your intentions, plans, etc: The problem is that we can’t say anything to the management without showing our hand, and we wanted to be able to take them by surprise. ♢ In court a good lawyer never reveals his hand too soon. OPPOSITE: keep/hold/play your cards close to your chest

These expressions refer to showing your cards (= your hand) in card playing.