PhrasesHub

Having an Ace up the sleeve

    Definitions

      • having a secret advantage
        Referring to having a hidden resource or plan that gives someone an advantage in a specific situation

    Examples of Having an Ace up the sleeve

    • The magician seemed to have an easy time performing his card tricks. After flipping over a few cards, he suddenly revealed a hidden ace behind one of them. This unexpected move left the audience in awe, and they were left wondering how he managed to have an ace up his sleeve.

      The idiom "having an ace up the sleeve" is used to describe someone who has a secret advantage that they have not revealed yet. In this context, the magician had prepared a surprise trick that he was keeping hidden until the right moment to surprise and impress his audience.

    • In the final round of the debate, the politician brought out a new argument that seemed to catch her opponent off guard. After finishing her statement, she smirked and said, "I have one more card to play. I'm saving the best for last." The audience could sense that the politician had another trick up her sleeve that could potentially sway the judges in her favor.

      To use the idiom in a debating situation, one can say that they are keeping a strong argument hidden and waiting for the right moment to use it as a surprise move. It implies that the speaker has a secret advantage that they have not yet revealed to their opponents.

    • The businessman looked confident as he presented his company's proposal to the investors. He claimed that his team had a few new ideas that would set them apart from their competitors. However, after a few minutes of discussion, the investors seemed skeptical of the proposal. The businessman then revealed, "We've got a surprise for you. We've been working on a secret project that we can't disclose yet, but trust us, it's something big that will blow you away."

      Here, the businessman is using the idiom to describe a new and unexpected project that his company has been working on in secret. It implies that the project has the potential to give his company a significant advantage over its competitors and can change the outcome of the presentation unexpectedly.

    • The procrastinator had a long list of tasks to complete before the deadline, but he kept putting them off, claiming that he had more important things to do. His friends and family grew increasingly concerned and urged him to get back on track. However, the procrastinator simply brushed them off, saying, "Don't worry. I've got an ace up my sleeve. I'll finish everything by the end of the week."

      In this context, the idiom is used to describe someone who has a secret solution or plan that they have not revealed yet to complete their tasks or solve a problem. It implies that the speaker is confident that they will eventually find a solution, but it's still unclear how they will execute it.

    • The magician seemed to guess my card choice perfectly. I was certain that I picked a four of hearts, but he revealed a five of diamonds instead. Later, I found out that he had an ace of spades up his sleeve, which he used to switch out my card without me noticing.

      The idiom "having an ace up the sleeve" means having a secret advantage or strategy that is not immediately apparent. In this example, the magician's unexpected revelation of a different card than mine led me to believe that he had some sort of special ability or insight. It wasn't until later that I learned of his true "ace up the sleeve" - the ace of spades, which he used to switch out my card unnoticed.

    • The politician vowed to keep his stance on the issue a secret, but insiders later revealed that he had an ace up his sleeve - a plan to compromise with the opposing party that would allow both sides to make concessions while still achieving their goals.

      When someone claims to be keeping a secret, like in this example, it can be a bit suspicious. In reality, the person might actually have a secret strategy that they're not sharing with everyone else. The phrase "an ace up the sleeve" is often used to describe this kind of hidden advantage, as it suggests that the person has a strong card up their proverbial sleeve that they're not yet revealing.

    • The team's backup goalie had been quietly working on a new technique in practice, but no one knew what it was. As the game went on and the lead goalie suffered an injury, the backup stepped in - and suddenly, he revealed an ace up his sleeve: an unconventional but wildly effective save technique that left the entire team amazed.

      In this example, the backup goalie was keeping his new technique a secret until the right moment presented itself. By waiting until the backup was needed, he was able to reveal his "ace up the sleeve" and surprise everyone with his unexpected skill. This type of scenario can happen in almost any setting - from sports to business to politics - where keeping a secret advantage can give you a leg up on the competition.

    • During the final round of the poker tournament, Maria bluffed her opponent by acting as if she had a strong hand. Little did he know, Maria actually had an ace up her sleeve, literally. She had secretly switched her card prior to the game, giving her an advantage.

      This expression is commonly used to describe having a secret advantage or strategy that is not immediately apparent. In this case, Maria's decision to switch her card before the game gave her a significant advantage and ultimately helped her win the tournament.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "having an Ace up the sleeve" is commonly used to describe someone who has a secret advantage or resource that gives them an edge in a situation. It is a metaphorical expression that suggests the presence of a hidden plan or resource that can be used to gain an upper hand.

    This idiom is often used in a figurative sense to convey the idea of having a hidden advantage or strategy that can be used to outmaneuver or outperform others in a given situation. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in business, sports, or personal relationships, to imply that someone is not revealing their full potential or capabilities.

    Origin of "Having an Ace up the sleeve"

    The origin of the idiom "having an Ace up the sleeve" can be traced back to the practice of cheating in card games. In the game of poker, for example, having an ace hidden up one's sleeve would give a player an unfair advantage over their opponents. Over time, the expression has evolved to encompass the broader idea of having a secret advantage or resource that can be used to achieve success in various situations. The idiom is now commonly used in everyday language to convey the concept of having a hidden plan or advantage that can be deployed when needed.