an ace up someone's sleeve
- idiom
- Informal
:
un as en la manga
- Despite being behind in the debate, she revealed an ace up her sleeve at the perfect moment.
Examples
-
Investors suspected the company had an ace up its sleeve regarding the new product launch.
-
She always has an ace up her sleeve for negotiations.
-
The negotiator always seemed confident, as if he had an ace up his sleeve.
-
Do you think he has an ace up his sleeve?
-
Despite being behind in the competition, she revealed an ace up her sleeve that secured her victory.
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The politician had an ace up his sleeve during the election debates that surprised everyone.
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In the final round of the game, he played an ace up his sleeve to win against his opponent.
Synonyms
9
6.1
A hidden advantage you keep until you need it
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
1
4.7
A strong advantage kept for an important moment to help win
A secret advantage saved to use later
A secret plan you keep to use if the main plan fails
A secret plan kept to use later when you need it
A helpful idea or tool kept secret to use when needed
Antonyms
How Advantageous
Surface Forms
Morphology
an + ace + up + someone's + sleeve
The parts hint at the meaning: an 'ace' is a high-value card (or top performer) and a 'sleeve' is a place to hide something, so the image of hiding a winning card suggests a concealed advantage. However, this relies on the cultural metaphor of card play and the idiomatic use of 'up one's sleeve', so a B1 learner who knows the words may still need prior exposure to derive the precise sense.
Etymology
An ace up someone's sleeve comes from the picture of a card player hiding an ace inside their sleeve to surprise other players. That's why the phrase means 'a secret advantage' kept for the right moment.