# ace up one's sleeve

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/ace-up-ones-sleeve
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

## Examples

- She has an ace up her sleeve for the final round.
- The team looked like they were losing, but the coach had an ace up his sleeve to win the game.
- Although the negotiations seemed deadlocked, the diplomat kept an ace up her sleeve, revealing a secret concession that ultimately secured the peace treaty.

## Origin

From the practice of hiding a high-value playing card in one's sleeve for dishonest use during a game, particularly poker. The ace is retained until its deployment becomes necessary to ensure a favourable outcome.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.