trick up one's sleeve
Secret backup plan
A trick up one's sleeve is a secret advantage or strategy held in reserve until needed.
The image comes from a card cheat concealing an ace.
Someone negotiating a deal might have a few tricks up their sleeve if initial offers fail.
The phrase implies cunning and strategic patience—revealing your advantage only at the right moment.
- bluffCalculated false front
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- backup planAlternative if primary fails
- feintDeceptive mock attack
ingenuity · subterfuge · hidden agenda · decoy · improvisation · trump card · foresight · resourcefulness · ace in the hole · tactic · preparation · maneuver · game plan · mislead · sleight of hand · secret weapon · scheme · illusion
trick up one's sleeveopen book
One easily understood
cards on the table · plain dealing · wearing one's heart on one's sleeve · show one's hand · lay one's cards on the table
trick up one's sleeveempty-handed
Possessing nothing to show
at a loss · tapped out · dead in the water · unprepared · defenseless
trick, tricks, tricked, tricking, trickery, tricky, trickster, sleeve, sleeves