Hold all the cards

Meaning

To be in a position of total control or to have all the advantages in a negotiation. You have all the power to dictate the outcome.

Strategic, authoritative

Used in a sentence

• The company holds all the cards in this contract dispute because they have the patent.
• Since she has the only key, she holds all the cards for the afternoon.
• We hold all the cards, so we do not need to settle for their low offer.