hold all the aces
Total strategic advantage
To hold all the aces is to be in a position of complete advantage or control, having all the resources or leverage needed to win or succeed.
The expression comes from card games where aces are typically the highest-ranking cards.
With their star player healthy and home-field advantage, they hold all the aces going into the playoffs.
Someone holding all the aces may still lose, but they have every apparent advantage working in their favor.
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
- victoryDefeating an opponent
- controlAuthority to direct
- call the shotsExercise ultimate authority
- in the driver's seatHaving control or authority
superiority · upper hand · command · triumph · bargaining power · mastery · dominance · authority · leverage · ace in the hole · winning hand · stacked deck · trump card · come up trumps · wild card · power · influence · cards