hold all the aces
(redirected from hold all the trumps)hold (all) the aces
To be in a position of power or control over someone or something due to having all the advantages or resources. Likened to having the best hand in a card game. He's bigger than me, and stronger, and faster—he just holds all the aces.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
hold all the aces
and hold all the cardsto be in a favorable position; to be in a controlling position. (Alludes to having possession of all four aces or all the high cards in a card game.) How can I advance in my career when my competitor holds all the aces? If I held all the aces, I'd be able to do great things. I tried to get my points across, but Joan held all the cards and the board voted for her plan.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
hold all the aces
Also, hold all the trumps. Be in a winning position, as in We can't argue with Jeff; he holds all the aces, or If Jean refuses, he'll reveal that he holds all the trumps and force her to give in. These expressions allude to card games in which the ace or a trump card outranks all the others. Also see play one's cards right; trump card.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
hold all the aces
If you hold all the aces, you have more advantages and more power than anyone else. When I was a teenager, I thought girls held all the aces. They hold all the aces; they are the champions and the best team in the country, and have a full-time manager. Note: In many card games, the ace is the card with the highest score.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
hold all the aces
have all the advantages.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
hold all the aces
tv. to be in control of everything. The boss holds all the aces on this deal.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.