ace in the hole
Hidden winning card
An ace in the hole is a hidden advantage or resource held in reserve.
The phrase comes from stud poker, where one card is dealt face down—if it's an ace, you have a powerful card your opponents can't see.
The meaning extends to any secret strength kept until needed: Her ace in the hole was a letter of recommendation from the CEO.
- trump cardDecisive winning resource
- ace up one's sleeveSecret advantage held back
- back pocketRear trouser compartment
- wildcardUnpredictable factor in play
- secret weaponHidden strategic advantage
up your sleeve · upper hand · advantage · surprise element · clincher · edge · game changer · silver bullet · sure thing · hidden asset · hidden advantage · secret stash · bluff · last resort · plan B · hand · poker · safety net
- advantagesedge, leverage, upper hand, leg up, head start
- desperate measureslast resort, desperate plea, desperation move, last ditch, last chance
- skill idiomsknow the ropes, cut the mustard, on the ball, sharp as a tack, jack of all trades
- hidden assetshidden asset, hidden cache, hidden gem, secret stash, buried treasure
ace in the holeAchilles' heel
Critical personal weakness
fatal flaw · weakness · vulnerability · liability · disadvantage
ace in the holeempty hand
Holding nothing at all
unprepared · defenseless · exposed · running on empty · unprotected
ace in the holesitting duck
Defenseless person or thing
blind spot · no safety net · defenselessness · caught with one's pants down · unprepared