ace in the hole

[ace in the hole] {n. phr.}

1. An ace given to a player face down so that other players in a card game cannot see it.

* /When the cowboy bet all his money in the poker game he did not know that the gambler had an ace in the hole and would win it from him./

2. {informal} Someone or something important that is kept as a surprise until the right time so as to bring victory or success.

* /The football team has a new play that they are keeping as an ace in the hole for the big game./

* /The lawyer's ace in the hole was a secret witness who saw the accident./

Compare: CARD UP ONE'S SLEEVE.

Tags:


	sleeve ¹⁸ success ⁶⁶ time ⁵⁵⁰ {informal} ¹⁴⁰¹ {n. phr.} ⁵³⁰

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


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	out of the hole [out of the hole] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1a. With a score better than ... A Dictionary of American Idioms in the hole [in the hole] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1a. Having a score lower than zero ... A Dictionary of American Idioms up one's sleeve [up one's sleeve] or [in one's sleeve] {adv. phr.} 1. Hidden in the sleeve of ... A Dictionary of American Idioms card up one's sleeve [card up one's sleeve] {n. phr.}, {informal} Another help, plan, or argument kept back and ... A Dictionary of American Idioms hole [hole] See: ACE IN THE HOLE, BURN A HOLE IN ONE'S POCKET, IN A HOLE ... A Dictionary of American Idioms in a hole [in a hole] or [in a spot] {adj. phr.}, {informal} In an embarrassing or difficult ... A Dictionary of American Idioms hole out [hole out] {v.} To finish play in golf by hitting the ball into the cup. ... A Dictionary of American Idioms

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