Idiom
ace up your sleeve
Meanings
A hidden advantage or secret plan that can help you succeed later.
Definition
A secret advantage or plan you can use when needed.
An ace up your sleeve is a hidden advantage, resource, or plan you keep secret until the right moment. It suggests being prepared and having something extra that others do not know about. People often use it when talking about negotiations, competitions, or problem-solving.
Examples
- She had an ace up your sleeve for the interview: a strong recommendation from the CEO.
- We thought we were stuck, but he had an ace up your sleeve and found a backup supplier.
- Don’t reveal your ace up your sleeve too early during the negotiation.
- The team kept an ace up your sleeve in case the main strategy failed.
More at C1 level
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More idiom (noun phrase)s
- dog's dinner Something that is very messy, badly organized, or poorly done.
- neck of the woods A “neck of the woods” is a particular area or neighborhood someone comes from or is talking about.
- storm in a teacup A storm in a teacup is a lot of anger or worry about a small, unimportant problem.
- big fish in a small pond A big fish in a small pond is a person who is important or very successful in a small group or limi…
- feather in your cap An achievement you can be proud of and that adds to your reputation.