sleeve

have something up one's sleeve and have an ace up one's sleeve

Fig. to have a secret or surprise plan or solution (to a problem). (Alludes to cheating at cards by having a card hidden in one's sleeve.) I've got something up my sleeve, and it should solve all your problems. I'll tell you what it is after I'm elected. The manager has an ace up her sleeve. She'll surprise us with it later.

See also: have, up

laugh up one's sleeve

to laugh secretly; to laugh quietly to oneself. Jane looked very serious, but I knew she was laughing up her sleeve. I told Sally that her dress was darling, but I was laughing up my sleeve because her dress was too small.

See also: laugh, up

roll one's sleeves up 

1. Lit. to turn one's sleeves upward, exposing the arms. He rolled his sleeves up and began to wash the dishes. Don rolled up his sleeves so he would be cooler.

2. Fig. to prepare to get to work. Let's roll our sleeves up and get this job done! Jane rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

See also: roll, up

stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach

Prov. Do not spend more money than you have. Sue: I can get enough money for college if I take out several loans. Bill: I'd advise against it. Stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach.

See also: arm, further, reach, stretch

wear one's heart on one's sleeve and have one's heart on one's sleeve

Fig. to display one's feelings openly and habitually, rather than keep them private. John always has his heart on his sleeve so that everyone knows how he feels. Because she wears her heart on her sleeve, it's easy to hurt her feelings.

See also: heart, wear

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be laughing up your sleeve

to laugh at someone secretly, often in an unkind way (often + at ) He persuaded people to believe in him and all the time he was laughing up his sleeve at them.

See also: laugh, up

have something up your sleeve

to have a secret idea or plan If this trip doesn't work out I've still got a few ideas up my sleeve.

See also: have, up

have a card up your sleeve

to have an advantage that other people do not know about I still had a card up my sleeve in the form of a letter from his father.

See also: card, have, up

have an ace up your sleeve

to have an advantage that other people do not know about The new game show has an ace up its sleeve. It will allow viewers to play from home and win prizes.

See also: ace, have, up

roll your sleeves up

to prepare for hard work Our local team need to roll their sleeves up and put a bit more effort into their football.

See roll off the tongue

See also: roll, up

wear your heart on your sleeve

to make your feelings and opinions obvious to other people John's always worn his heart on his sleeve, so there's no doubt who he'll be supporting.

See wear fingers to the bone

See also: heart, wear

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something up your sleeve

something secret you can use If this plan doesn't work out I've still got a few ideas up my sleeve.

Usage notes: ften used in the forms the card up your sleeve or the ace up your sleeve ( a secret advantage you can use): That recommendation from my teacher was the ace up my sleeve.

See also: up

roll up your sleeves

to prepare for hard work After the election, the mayor rolled up his sleeves and began immediately to put his promises into action.

Etymology: based on the idea that people often literally roll up their sleeves before doing difficult physical work

See also: roll, up

wear something on your sleeve

to make your feelings or beliefs known to everyone Some people feel the need to wear their patriotism on their sleeve.

Usage notes: often used in the form wear your heart on your sleeve (to make your emotions known to others): I don't like wearing my heart on my sleeve.

See also: wear

wear your heart on your sleeve

to show your feelings, esp. your love for someone You always know where John stands because he wears his heart on his sleeve.

Related vocabulary: wear something on your sleeve

See also: heart, wear