have an ace in the hole
To have a major advantage that one keeps hidden until an ideal time. The phrase originated in poker, in which an ace is the most valuable card. Primarily heard in US. On TV, the prosecutor always has an ace in the hole, like an eyewitness who gets called at the last minute. Of course I have an ace in the hole—his embarrassing secret! I plan to reveal it to everyone the next time he mocks me publicly. I have an ace in the hole—my stamina. The other runners don't stand a chance!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
have an ace in the hole
If you have an ace in the hole, you have something which you can use to gain an advantage when you need it. Note: In many card games, the ace is the card with the highest score. He doesn't usually risk much unless he thinks he has an ace in the hole. Note: In `stud' poker, you have an ace in the hole when you have an ace as your `hole' card: see `hole card' at hole.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012