ace up one's sleeve — meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  Global EnglishAmerican EnglishBritish Englishinformal
  • A hidden advantage, plan, or resource kept secret until it can be used to gain an edge or achieve success.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Maria always has an ace up her sleeve during contract negotiations to get the best deal.

    María siempre tiene un as bajo la manga durante las negociaciones de contratos para obtener el mejor trato.

  • Don’t worry; I’ve got an ace up my sleeve that will help us win the competition.

    No te preocupes; tengo un as bajo la manga que nos ayudará a ganar la competencia.

  • He revealed his ace up his sleeve only at the last moment, catching everyone by surprise.

    Él reveló su as bajo la manga solo en el último momento, sorprendiendo a todos.

• 2.

  American EnglishBritish EnglishGlobal Englishinformal
  • A concealed or illicit means of cheating or deception, especially a hidden playing card used to gain an unfair advantage.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The gambler was caught with an ace up his sleeve, trying to cheat the game.

    El jugador fue atrapado con un as bajo la manga, intentando hacer trampa en el juego.

  • They suspected he had an ace up his sleeve, but no proof of cheating was ever found.

    Sospechaban que tenía un as bajo la manga, pero nunca encontraron pruebas de trampa.

  • Having an ace up one’s sleeve is unfair, especially in a friendly card game.

    Tener un as bajo la manga es injusto, especialmente en un juego de cartas amistoso.