back-pocket strategy
- noun
- Informal
:
estrategia de reserva
- She always has a back-pocket strategy for handling last-minute problems at work.
Examples
-
It's wise to develop a back-pocket strategy in case negotiations break down.
-
The coach used his back-pocket strategy when the original game plan failed.
-
He always has a back-pocket strategy for tough negotiations.
-
Do you think her back-pocket strategy will work?
-
It's wise to develop a back-pocket strategy in case negotiations break down.
-
She always has a back-pocket strategy for handling last-minute problems at work.
-
The coach used his back-pocket strategy when the original game plan failed.
Synonyms
13
4.3
A plan people keep secret to do something wrong
9
6.1
A hidden advantage you keep until you need it
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
A secret advantage someone keeps to use when needed
A secret plan kept to use later when you need it
A helpful idea or tool kept secret to use when needed
How Prepared
- Specialized
11
5.0
- Specialized
24
4.0
- Informal
1
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
back-pocket + strategy
The meaning 'a reserved plan kept for emergencies' is motivated by the concrete image of keeping something in one's back pocket, so a learner who knows 'back', 'pocket' and the idea of keeping things on hand can plausibly infer the sense. However, this is a metaphorical/idiomatic extension (and the hyphenated form is not a standard dictionary headword), so the link is not fully literal or guaranteed for a B1 learner without some exposure.
Etymology
Back-pocket strategy comes from the image of keeping a small plan in your back pocket so you can pull it out when trouble starts. So it means a 'secret' or kept plan you use in unexpected problems or 'emergencies'.