aces up one's sleeve
Secret winning cards
Secret advantages or resources held in reserve, ready to deploy when needed.
The phrase comes from card cheating—hiding aces to play at a crucial moment.
Someone with aces up their sleeve has undisclosed plans or capabilities that give them an edge: She always has a few aces up her sleeve when negotiating.
Often shortened to an ace up one's sleeve.
- trump cardDecisive winning resource
- poker faceIntentionally expressionless look
- sleight of handSkillful manual deception
- secret weaponHidden strategic advantage
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
ace in the hole · winning hand · bluffing · foresight · contingency · wildcard · misdirection · leverage · covert operation · under the table · planning · hand · maneuvering · card sharp · hidden advantage · resourcefulness · camouflage · calculated risk
aces up one's sleevefair play
Honorable conduct in games
above board · cards on the table · on the level · transparency · open book
aces up one's sleeveempty-handed
Possessing nothing to show
unprepared · at a loss · defenseless · vulnerable · exposed