He kept his ace in the hole until the final round.
ace in the hole
idiom B2
Synonym of ace up one's sleeve.
Origin
"Ace in the hole" originates from 19th-century American stud poker. It refers to the hole card — the first card dealt face-down and kept hidden from opponents. Because the ace is the highest-value card, having an ace face-down gives a player a secret, powerful advantage.
By the 1920s, the term had expanded from the casino to become a common idiom for any hidden advantage, resource, or surprise strategy kept in reserve and used to gain the upper hand when needed.
She saved her best argument as an ace in the hole for the negotiation.
The coach had an ace in the hole — a rookie pitcher no scout had seen — and unleashed him in the ninth inning to silence the stunned crowd.
- 01
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 02
bate an ace
To make the least abatement or reduction.
- 03
blow a hole through
To destroy the integrity or cohesion of.
- 04
burn a hole in someone's pocket
To cause someone to spend money or be tempted to spend money.
- 05
crawl into a hole
To hide or disappear due to feelings of extreme embarrassment, shame, or helplessness; to withdraw from reality.
- 06
dig a hole for oneself
To take an action or create a situation from which it is difficult to extricate.
- 07
dig oneself in a hole
To put oneself in even more trouble.
- 08
dig out of a hole
To save someone or something from trouble.