Have an ace up your sleeve Meaning in English
expression
HAV-uhn-AYS-uhp-YOR-sleev
hav-UN-AYS-up-YAW-sleev
Definition
To have a secret advantage or a hidden resource that you can use when needed, especially in a difficult situation.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal idiom. Often used with 'always' ("He always has an ace up his sleeve"). Refers to having a hidden strategy, secret plan, or unexpected resource, not literally an ace card. Similar phrases: 'trump card', 'secret weapon'.
Spanish: tener un as bajo la mangaPortuguese (BR): ter uma carta na mangaPortuguese (PT): ter um ás na mangaChinese (Simplified): 暗藏王牌Chinese (Traditional): 暗藏王牌Hindi: आस्तीन में इक्का होनाArabic: ورقة رابحة مخفيةBengali: গোপন তাস - গোপন অস্ত্রRussian: туз в рукаве - скрытое преимуществоJapanese: 切り札を持っているVietnamese: con át chủ bài - vũ khí bí mậtKorean: 비장의 카드가 있다Turkish: elinde gizli bir koz olmakUrdu: چھپا ہتھیار - خفیہ چالIndonesian: memiliki kartu AS tersembunyi - punya senjata rahasia
Example Sentences
She has an ace up her sleeve for the competition.
basic
I think our team has an ace up its sleeve this year.
basic
Do you have an ace up your sleeve for the exam?
basic
Don't worry, he always has an ace up his sleeve when it matters.
natural
If negotiations go badly, I have an ace up my sleeve.
natural
Everybody thought they would lose, but their coach had an ace up his sleeve.
natural