ace in the hole
9
6.1
- idiom
- Informal
:
as en la manga
- The detective kept the evidence as an ace in the hole for the trial.
- got an ace in the hole
- still has an ace in the hole
His shaved knuckle, his, as we say, ace in the hole.
- His shaved knuckle, his, as we say, ace in the hole.
- What is this secret ace in the hole, as we say, you know in poker terms an advantage.
- And if that's the case, then those trees might actually be sort of our ace in the hole for the future, right?
Examples
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And we have an ace in the hole in you.
Fiction book (1996) -
It was supposed to be my ace in the hole.
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We have an ace in the hole.
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The wife is our ace in the hole.
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And my ace in the hole, so to speak, was that...
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You are my "ace in the hole," as we say in America.
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Well, we got an ace in the hole.
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Fortunately, King still had an ace in the hole.
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That's my ace in the hole.
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It occurred to her that the birth certificate was her ace in the hole.
Fiction book (1991)
Synonyms
5
8.1
Someone keeps something secret to use later for an advantage
5
3.8
A strong advantage that gives someone a winning edge
4
6.5
A secret plan kept to use as a surprise when needed
3
7.0
A hidden advantage that someone keeps to use later
2
4.2
A plan kept ready to use in case of need
1
4.7
A strong advantage kept for an important moment to help win
A secret advantage someone keeps to use when needed
A secret advantage saved to use later
A secret plan you keep to use if the main plan fails
A helpful idea or tool kept secret to use when needed
A secret plan kept to use later when you need it
Antonyms
How Advantageous
Surface Forms
Morphology
The headword 'ace' (a top card or expert) combined with 'in' + 'hole' (suggesting something hidden or set aside) gives a partial clue toward a concealed advantage, so the parts partially map onto the idiomatic meaning. However, the specific sense comes from a poker metaphor (an ace hidden as a winning card) and is not fully predictable to a B1 learner without cultural or idiomatic exposure.
Etymology
Ace in the hole comes from old card games where a player had a hidden ace called the hole card. Because that hidden ace could win the game, the phrase now means 'a secret advantage' kept until it is needed.