Ace up one’s sleeve

Meaning

The idiom "ace up one's sleeve" means to have a secret advantage or hidden resource that one can use to gain an upper hand in a situation. It suggests having something that is not known to others and can be used as a surprise or an unexpected move.

Usage

• The team knew they had to ace up their sleeve if they wanted to win the game.
• The company decided to ace up its sleeve by introducing a new product at the trade show.
• The politician was known for acing up his sleeve during debates, always having a witty comeback ready.
• The artist had to ace up her sleeve when she found out that the gallery was expecting a different style of painting.
• The hacker knew he had to ace up his sleeve if he wanted to break into the government's system. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context, but it always implies having a secret advantage or resource that is not known to others.

Roots and History

The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but one theory suggests that it comes from the world of card games. In poker, "acing up one's sleeve" means to reveal a winning hand that was hidden in one's shirt sleeve. This idiom may have evolved to refer to any secret advantage or resource that can be used in a variety of situations.

Synonyms in English

• Have a trump card
• Have an ace up your sleeve
• Have a secret weapon
• Have a hidden advantage
• Have a plan B

Synonyms in other languages

• La carta mágica (Spanish) - A magical card or secret resource
• Le tréporteur (French) - A secret weapon or advantage
• 神器 (Japanese) - A secret advantage or resource
• 비밀능력 (Korean) - A hidden ability or secret resource
• Ас в руках (Russian) - A winning hand or secret advantage

Similar Idioms

• alive and kicking

• at bottom

• up a creek without a paddle