Word
spades
US/ˈspeɪdz/
UK/spˈeɪdz/
Definition
n. a large amount of something. You use this in the phrase 'in spades' to say that someone has a lot of a specific quality.
n. a significant or abundant quantity of a particular quality or attribute. Almost exclusively used within the idiomatic prepositional phrase 'in spades'.
Examples
“She has talent in spades.”
“The new smartphone has all the latest features and style in spades, making it a top choice for tech enthusiasts.”
“While the original film relied on subtle atmosphere, the sequel delivers high-octane action and special effects in spades to satisfy a broader audience.”
Examples
simple
“She has talent in spades.”
contextual
“The new smartphone has all the latest features and style in spades, making it a top choice for tech enthusiasts.”
complex
“While the original film relied on subtle atmosphere, the sequel delivers high-octane action and special effects in spades to satisfy a broader audience.”
Usage
Pluralia tantum in this idiomatic sense; typically functions as an adverbial phrase following a verb or noun.
Pitfall
He has a spade of luck
He has luck in spades
The idiom 'in spades' is a fixed plural phrase; it cannot be used in the singular to mean 'a lot'.
Real-World Examples
“FTSE-listed housebuilders’ shares soared , with investors keen to get spades in the ground again with this incentive.” “Liar Liar serves up can’t-miss-’em scenes in spades.” “We lay our towels on the sand, unpack fruit and water, buckets and spades, before the kids make a break for freedom.” “Cheese and cured meats have umami in spades.” Scan code
englishreference.com/q/spades