An ace up your sleeve

usgb
phrase

Have a hidden, surprising advantage or resource.

Don't worry about the negotiations, we have an ace up our sleeve.
Visual representation of "an ace up your sleeve" - Have a hidden, surprising advantage or resource.

Often appears as...

  • have an ace up your sleeve
  • keep an ace up your sleeve

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "an ace up your sleeve"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subtly Revealing

Use the phrase when you reveal your advantage without showing it off or boasting about it.

Illustration for Subtly Revealing
He smiled at the debate, knowing he had an ace up his sleeve.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Strategy and Timing

It's often about the strategic use of a resource or piece of information, revealed at a critical moment.

Illustration for Strategy and Timing
Our new product is an ace up our sleeve for this fiscal quarter's earnings.
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Unexpected Solution

The 'ace' should be something not obvious; it's a surprising solution that others aren't aware of.

Illustration for Unexpected Solution
Faced with budget cuts, the manager had an ace up his sleeve: a private investor.
Visual representation of the word "An ace up your sleeve"

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