secret weapon

Concealed competitive edge

A secret weapon is an advantage kept hidden until the moment it can be most effective.

Originally military—a weapon whose existence enemies don't know about—the phrase now applies to any concealed asset: Our secret weapon is a comedian who'll perform at halftime.

The term implies strategic surprise: revealing it too early diminishes its power.

Opposites
visibility/disclosure

secret weaponopen secret

Known fact nobody admits

known quantity · public knowledge

strategic value

secret weaponAchilles heel

Singular fatal vulnerability

fatal flaw · vulnerability · weak point · liability · handicap

Family

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Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G