card of ten: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘card of ten’ mean?

The idiom "card of ten" is not a common idiom and there is very limited information available about its meaning. It may refer to a group of ten people or the number ten, but its usage and context are unclear.

Idiom Explorer

Decoding 'Card of Ten'

The idiom "card of ten" has a limited amount of information available online. However, the following facts about its origin, meaning, and usage can be gathered:

The term "card of ten" is a relatively obscure idiom that is not commonly used in everyday language. It is believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century.

One possible explanation for the origin of the idiom is that it refers to a standard deck of playing cards. In a deck, a "card of ten" typically denotes a value card that is considered to be of average importance or significance.

Another interpretation suggests that the idiom may have its roots in a specific game or activity that involved a card with the number ten on it. However, no concrete evidence has been found to support this theory.

The meaning of the idiom "card of ten" is generally to signify something that is unremarkable, ordinary, or of little importance. It is often used in a dismissive or derogatory manner. Essentially, it's like saying that something is not worth much.

It's all about luck in this poker game.

Usage of the idiom appears to be quite infrequent, and it is not commonly encountered in contemporary literature, media, or everyday conversations. It is more likely to be found in older texts or in more niche contexts. This lack of usage could be due to the idiom's obscurity and limited relevance in modern times.

Now, let's explore how the idiom "card of ten" is related to other idioms:

The first idiom related to "card of ten" is "decimal dozen". "Decimal dozen" is a phrase that refers to a group of ten. It's like a play on words, combining the term "decimal", which represents the number ten, with the word "dozen", which typically represents a group of twelve. So, "decimal dozen" essentially means a group of ten items or people.

The second idiom related to "card of ten" is "ten to one". This phrase is used to express a high degree of probability or certainty about something happening. For example, if someone says "it's ten to one that it will rain today", they mean that there is a high chance or likelihood of rain. This idiom doesn't have a direct connection to the meaning of "card of ten", but it shares the number ten in both idioms.

The third and final idiom related to "card of ten" is "in the cards". This phrase is often used to express the idea that something is likely to happen or will happen in the future. It's like saying that something is destined or fated to occur. While the phrase "in the cards" doesn't directly mention the number ten, it shares the idea of something being predetermined or expected, which can be related to the concept of a "card of ten" being unremarkable or ordinary.

The idiom "card of ten" is a relatively obscure phrase that originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is generally used to signify something that is unremarkable or of little importance. While the idiom is not widely used, it is related to other idioms such as "decimal dozen", "ten to one", and "in the cards". These idioms share the number ten in various ways and add to the richness and diversity of the English language.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom "card of ten" can be used in a sentence:

  1. He played his cards of ten carefully and won the game.
  2. She had a card of ten up her sleeve and used it to her advantage in negotiations.
  3. They were dealt a bad hand, with no cards of ten, and struggled to make any progress.

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