play into someone's hands
Meaning: To act in a way that unintentionally helps an opponent.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “By losing his temper, he played right into their hands.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: From card games, where a careless play gives the opponent the advantage. The phrase is common from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Greek: Φέρνω νερό στο μύλο κάποιου — literally: Bring water to someone's mill
More idioms — Body & Senses
- Tomber dans les pommes — Suddenly losing consciousness — possibly derived from the older expression 'être dans les…
- Avoir la moutarde qui monte au nez — To be getting angry.
- Couper les cheveux en quatre — To over-analyze or split hairs.
- Se regarder le nombril — To be self-centered or narcissistic.
- Tomaten auf den Augen haben — To be oblivious to what's right in front of you.
- Die Daumen drücken — To wish someone good luck (like crossing fingers).
More English idioms
- make a hash of something — To do something very badly.
- play dumb — To pretend not to know or understand something.
- all hell breaks loose — Chaos and disorder suddenly erupt.
- make short work of something — To deal with or finish something quickly.
- you've made your bed, now lie in it — You must accept the consequences of your own choices.
- be put out to pasture — To be retired or set aside as no longer useful.
From our compliments & insults
- Sei una persona d'oro — You're genuinely wonderful — kind, trustworthy, and precious to have in one's life.
- Che spettacolo! — You look absolutely stunning — a spontaneous burst of admiration for someone's appearance.
- Du bist ein Goldstück — You're a real gem — priceless, irreplaceable, and deeply appreciated.