What does “Ace up your sleeve” mean?
"Ace up your sleeve" means having a secret advantage or resource that you keep hidden until it is needed.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He always has an ace up his sleeve when it comes to negotiations.
Example
I have an ace up my sleeve for the final round of the competition.
Example
The team's coach has an ace up his sleeve for the championship game
Is “Ace up your sleeve” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Ace up your sleeve” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Ace up your sleeve” effectively in context?
You can use "Ace up your sleeve" to describe someone who has a secret advantage or resource that they keep hidden until the right moment. It implies that the person is strategic and always prepared for unexpected situations. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this idiom effectively:
- 1Negotiations
He always has an ace up his sleeve when it comes to negotiations. He knows how to use his secret advantage to get the best deal.
- 2Competition
I have an ace up my sleeve for the final round of the competition. I've been saving my secret strategy for this moment.
- 3Sports
The team's coach has an ace up his sleeve for the championship game. He has a surprise tactic that he believes will give them an edge over the opposing team.
Similar phrases to “Ace up your sleeve”:
Trump card
A powerful or decisive resource that can be used to gain an advantage
Example
She played her trump card and won the argument.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Ace up your sleeve” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Ace up your sleeve" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from gambling. In card games, players would sometimes hide an ace (the highest-ranking card) up their sleeve to cheat and gain an advantage over their opponents. Over time, the phrase has evolved to represent any secret advantage or resource that someone keeps hidden until it is needed.
Is “Ace up your sleeve” common in everyday conversation?
"Ace up your sleeve" is a fairly common idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe someone who has a hidden advantage or resource that they can use strategically.
What tone does “Ace up your sleeve” have?
"Ace up your sleeve" conveys a tone of cleverness and preparedness. It suggests that the person is resourceful and always one step ahead of others.
Can “Ace up your sleeve” be used in informal and formal settings?
"Ace up your sleeve" is a relatively informal phrase that can be used in casual conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. However, it can also be used in more formal settings such as business meetings or presentations to describe a strategic advantage.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
While "Ace up your sleeve" is commonly used as part of a sentence, it can also be used by itself to imply that someone has a secret advantage. For example, if someone asks, 'Do you have any tricks up your sleeve?' you can simply respond with 'I always have an "ace up my sleeve".'
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- secret advantage
- hidden resource
- strategic asset
- clever tactic
- prepared trick
Antonyms
- unprepared
- exposed
- no backup plan
- empty-handed
- caught off guard
