aces in the hole
Hidden winning advantages
Aces in the hole are secret advantages held in reserve.
The phrase comes from stud poker, where a facedown ace gives a player hidden strength.
Extended to any situation where someone keeps resources or information concealed until the right moment: Our aces in the hole are the two witnesses who haven't testified yet.
See also ACE IN THE HOLE for the singular.
- trump cardDecisive winning resource
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- back pocketRear trouser compartment
- pokerHearth implement for coals
- high stakesSignificant potential for loss
fallback · contingency · insurance policy · covert · hidden · clandestine · maneuver · resourcefulness · discreet · plan B · calculation · blackjack · bluff · veiled · foresight · hand · secret weapon · positioning
aces in the holeliabilities
Amounts owed to others
vulnerabilities · weaknesses · handicaps · chinks in the armor · soft underbellies
aces in the holecards on the table
Total openness about intentions
skeletons in the closet · known quantities · open books · public assets · smoking guns