Have an ace up one's sleeve

Definitions

• to have a secret advantage or plan
  To have a hidden strategy or advantage that can be used to gain an advantage or achieve success in a situation or task

• to have a backup plan or resource
  To have a contingency plan or extra resource that can be used if needed to ensure success or overcome a difficult situation

Examples of Have an ace up one's sleeve

• The sales manager had an ace up his sleeve when he presented the new product to the board of directors.

  This idiom means having a secret or unexpected advantage or solution. In this case, the sales manager had a convincing argument or feature of the new product that he kept hidden until the right moment.

• The politician had an ace up her sleeve during the debate when she brought up her opponent's past mistakes.

  This idiom can also be used to refer to a hidden strategy or plan that can be revealed at the right time. In this example, the politician had prepared a surprise attack by bringing up her opponent's past mistakes, which caught him off guard and gave her an advantage.

• The magician had an ace up his sleeve when he made the card disappear.

  This idiom is commonly used in the context of magic tricks, where the magician has a hidden card or object that he reveals at the end of the trick. In this example, the magician made the card disappear, but he had an ace (a hidden card) up his sleeve that he revealed to complete the trick.

• The lawyer had an ace up her sleeve during the trial when she presented new evidence that changed the outcome.

  This idiom can also be used in legal contexts, where the lawyer has a hidden piece of evidence or argument that can be used to turn the case in her favor. In this example, the lawyer presented new evidence during the trial, which was a surprise to the other side and helped her win the case.

• The student had an ace up his sleeve during the exam when he remembered the answer to a difficult question.

  This idiom can also be used in academic contexts, where the student has a hidden piece of knowledge or memory that helps him succeed. In this example, the student remembered the answer to a difficult question, which was a surprise to him and helped him score well on the exam.

Conclusion

The idiom "have an ace up one's sleeve" is often used to refer to having a hidden or secret advantage or plan that can be used to gain an advantage or overcome a difficult situation. It can also be used to describe having a backup plan or resource that can be used if needed.

Origin of "Have an ace up one's sleeve"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the game of poker. In poker, players are dealt cards from a deck and the goal is to have the best hand or combination of cards. In some variations of the game, players may hide one or more cards up their sleeve to use as a secret advantage if needed. This hidden card is often referred to as an "ace up one's sleeve" and can give a player an advantage over their opponents.

Over time, the phrase "ace up one's sleeve" began to be used figuratively to refer to any hidden advantage or plan that could be used to gain an advantage in a situation. It can also be used to describe having a backup plan or resource, similar to having an extra card up one's sleeve in a game of poker.

Today, the idiom is commonly used in everyday language to describe someone who has a secret advantage or resource that they can use to their benefit. It is also often used in a positive sense, implying that the person is clever or resourceful for having a hidden plan or advantage.