secret weapon in one's hip pocket
- idiom
- Informal
:
arma secreta en la manga
- Having a good mentor is like having a secret weapon in one's hip pocket.
Examples
-
With that innovative idea as a secret weapon in their hip pocket, the team surprised everyone.
-
The coach revealed her secret weapon in her hip pocket just before the final match.
-
He always has a secret weapon in his hip pocket when it comes to negotiations.
-
Do you think networking is a secret weapon in one's hip pocket?
-
In business, knowledge can serve as a secret weapon in your hip pocket against competitors.
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She always keeps a few clever strategies as a secret weapon in her hip pocket for unexpected challenges.
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His ability to stay calm under pressure is a secret weapon in his hip pocket during tough negotiations.
Synonyms
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 secret plan you keep to use if the main plan fails
Antonyms
How Useful
5
3.8
- Informal
∞
2.8
310
3.8
770
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
secret + weapon + in + one + hip + pocket
The phrase is compositionally built: 'secret' (hidden) + 'weapon' (a means of advantage) together mean a hidden means of advantage, and 'in one's hip pocket' denotes being kept close at hand or concealed. This literal combination yields the sense 'a hidden/unexpected advantage,' a transparent figurative extension that a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can reasonably infer.
Etymology
Secret weapon in one's hip pocket comes from the simple picture of someone secretly carrying a small weapon in a hip pocket, ready to pull out when needed. So, the phrase means 'an unexpected advantage or resource' you keep hidden to use at the right moment.