Up your sleeve Meaning in English
expression
ˈəp/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈsɫiv
UHP-yer-SLEEV
ˈʌp/ /jˈɔː/ /slˈiːv
UP-yawr-SLEEV
Definition
If you have something 'up your sleeve,' you have a hidden plan or idea that you can use if you need it.
Usage & Nuances
Usually informal. Used to describe a secret advantage or plan. Commonly appears as 'have something up your sleeve.' Not about actual clothing.
Spanish: as bajo la mangaPortuguese (BR): carta na mangaPortuguese (PT): carta na mangaChinese (Simplified): 藏在袖子里的（秘密/计策）Chinese (Traditional): 藏在袖子裡的（祕密/計策）Hindi: आस्तीन में छुपा हुआ (हथियार/ताकत/चाल)Arabic: ورقة رابحة في جعبتكBengali: গোপন কৌশল - গোপন পরিকল্পনাRussian: туз в рукаве - скрытый планJapanese: 切り札 - 隠し玉Vietnamese: bí mật - kế hoạch dự phòngKorean: 비장의 수 - 숨겨둔 계획Turkish: gizli plan - gizli kozUrdu: چھپا پتا - خفیہ منصوبہIndonesian: rencana rahasia - trik tersembunyi
Example Sentences
She always has a trick up her sleeve.
basic
Do you have something up your sleeve for the competition?
basic
The team had a strategy up their sleeve.
basic
Don’t worry, I’ve got something up my sleeve if things go wrong.
natural
Whenever he negotiates, he keeps a clever idea up his sleeve.
natural
They thought she’d given up, but she had one more surprise up her sleeve.
natural