Is there a synonym for the phrase “card up his sleeve”?
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"A card up his sleeve" means to have a secret advantage that you can use later; for example, She still has one card up her sleeve. This means that she has a secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. Now I am asking if there is any synonym that can replace this phrase?
phrases phrase-requests synonyms
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"A card up his sleeve" means to have a secret advantage that you can use later; for example, She still has one card up her sleeve. This means that she has a secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. Now I am asking if there is any synonym that can replace this phrase?
phrases phrase-requests synonyms
New contributor
5
If you add some context, you might get answers that are more closely tailored to your needs. In particular, why doesn't "card up his sleeve" work for you? Do you want a more formal term, or something without gambling associations? Something less colorful or more colorful? Is there a particular context where you want to use the phrase? And so forth.
– 1006a
Nov 13 at 4:39
1
Tangential: Dutch has a proverb for this, "they have a stick behind the door". To explain the image: consider someone opening the door to a stranger, but holding a baseball bat in the hand that is behind the door in case the stranger has ill intentions. The stranger should think twice before attacking the person, because they may have a stick behind the door. It is used much like "card up his sleeve", for any hidden benefit a person may have, not just aggressive/violent/defensive purposes as the example would suggest.
– Flater
Nov 13 at 10:16
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up vote
5
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up vote
5
down vote
favorite
"A card up his sleeve" means to have a secret advantage that you can use later; for example, She still has one card up her sleeve. This means that she has a secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. Now I am asking if there is any synonym that can replace this phrase?
phrases phrase-requests synonyms
New contributor
"A card up his sleeve" means to have a secret advantage that you can use later; for example, She still has one card up her sleeve. This means that she has a secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. Now I am asking if there is any synonym that can replace this phrase?
phrases phrase-requests synonyms
phrases phrase-requests synonyms
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New contributor
edited Nov 13 at 1:56
Chappo
2,34731224
2,34731224
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asked Nov 12 at 20:54
Mariam
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If you add some context, you might get answers that are more closely tailored to your needs. In particular, why doesn't "card up his sleeve" work for you? Do you want a more formal term, or something without gambling associations? Something less colorful or more colorful? Is there a particular context where you want to use the phrase? And so forth.
– 1006a
Nov 13 at 4:39
1
Tangential: Dutch has a proverb for this, "they have a stick behind the door". To explain the image: consider someone opening the door to a stranger, but holding a baseball bat in the hand that is behind the door in case the stranger has ill intentions. The stranger should think twice before attacking the person, because they may have a stick behind the door. It is used much like "card up his sleeve", for any hidden benefit a person may have, not just aggressive/violent/defensive purposes as the example would suggest.
– Flater
Nov 13 at 10:16
add a comment |
5
If you add some context, you might get answers that are more closely tailored to your needs. In particular, why doesn't "card up his sleeve" work for you? Do you want a more formal term, or something without gambling associations? Something less colorful or more colorful? Is there a particular context where you want to use the phrase? And so forth.
– 1006a
Nov 13 at 4:39
1
Tangential: Dutch has a proverb for this, "they have a stick behind the door". To explain the image: consider someone opening the door to a stranger, but holding a baseball bat in the hand that is behind the door in case the stranger has ill intentions. The stranger should think twice before attacking the person, because they may have a stick behind the door. It is used much like "card up his sleeve", for any hidden benefit a person may have, not just aggressive/violent/defensive purposes as the example would suggest.
– Flater
Nov 13 at 10:16
5
5
If you add some context, you might get answers that are more closely tailored to your needs. In particular, why doesn't "card up his sleeve" work for you? Do you want a more formal term, or something without gambling associations? Something less colorful or more colorful? Is there a particular context where you want to use the phrase? And so forth.
– 1006a
Nov 13 at 4:39
If you add some context, you might get answers that are more closely tailored to your needs. In particular, why doesn't "card up his sleeve" work for you? Do you want a more formal term, or something without gambling associations? Something less colorful or more colorful? Is there a particular context where you want to use the phrase? And so forth.
– 1006a
Nov 13 at 4:39
1
1
Tangential: Dutch has a proverb for this, "they have a stick behind the door". To explain the image: consider someone opening the door to a stranger, but holding a baseball bat in the hand that is behind the door in case the stranger has ill intentions. The stranger should think twice before attacking the person, because they may have a stick behind the door. It is used much like "card up his sleeve", for any hidden benefit a person may have, not just aggressive/violent/defensive purposes as the example would suggest.
– Flater
Nov 13 at 10:16
Tangential: Dutch has a proverb for this, "they have a stick behind the door". To explain the image: consider someone opening the door to a stranger, but holding a baseball bat in the hand that is behind the door in case the stranger has ill intentions. The stranger should think twice before attacking the person, because they may have a stick behind the door. It is used much like "card up his sleeve", for any hidden benefit a person may have, not just aggressive/violent/defensive purposes as the example would suggest.
– Flater
Nov 13 at 10:16
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
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up vote
6
down vote
accepted
There's a very similar phrase: "She still has a trick up her sleeve."
trick up (one's) sleeve
A secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. A reference to cheating at a card game by hiding a favorable card up one's sleeve. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve if he decides to pursue legal action against me.
(source: The Free Dictionary)
Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 13 at 12:23
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up vote
10
down vote
You're probably looking for
ace in the hole
A secret advantage, or some kind of resource kept until needed. It refers to a high-value card in stud poker which is kept face down while bets are made.
TFD Online
The "hole card" in stud is the card that is dealt first and remains face down until a showdown occurs.
add a comment |
up vote
8
down vote
One (also informal) synonym is secret weapon:
someone or something that gives you a special advantage over your opponents, especially in business or politics
The show could be ABC’s secret weapon in the ratings war this fall.
Macmillan Dictionary
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
trump card:
an advantage that makes you more likely to succeed than other people, especially something that other people do not know about.
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
I read your question as if you are looking for a word instead of a phrase. Maybe the word is "resourceful". I understand that to describe someone who always comes out of situations as if he had had a card up his sleeve.
New contributor
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
There's a very similar phrase: "She still has a trick up her sleeve."
trick up (one's) sleeve
A secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. A reference to cheating at a card game by hiding a favorable card up one's sleeve. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve if he decides to pursue legal action against me.
(source: The Free Dictionary)
Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 13 at 12:23
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
There's a very similar phrase: "She still has a trick up her sleeve."
trick up (one's) sleeve
A secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. A reference to cheating at a card game by hiding a favorable card up one's sleeve. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve if he decides to pursue legal action against me.
(source: The Free Dictionary)
Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 13 at 12:23
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
There's a very similar phrase: "She still has a trick up her sleeve."
trick up (one's) sleeve
A secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. A reference to cheating at a card game by hiding a favorable card up one's sleeve. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve if he decides to pursue legal action against me.
(source: The Free Dictionary)
There's a very similar phrase: "She still has a trick up her sleeve."
trick up (one's) sleeve
A secret plan, idea, or advantage that can be utilized if and when it is required. A reference to cheating at a card game by hiding a favorable card up one's sleeve. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve if he decides to pursue legal action against me.
(source: The Free Dictionary)
answered Nov 12 at 20:57
Glorfindel
4,29172534
4,29172534
Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 13 at 12:23
add a comment |
Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 13 at 12:23
Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 13 at 12:23
Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Nov 13 at 12:23
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
You're probably looking for
ace in the hole
A secret advantage, or some kind of resource kept until needed. It refers to a high-value card in stud poker which is kept face down while bets are made.
TFD Online
The "hole card" in stud is the card that is dealt first and remains face down until a showdown occurs.
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
You're probably looking for
ace in the hole
A secret advantage, or some kind of resource kept until needed. It refers to a high-value card in stud poker which is kept face down while bets are made.
TFD Online
The "hole card" in stud is the card that is dealt first and remains face down until a showdown occurs.
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
up vote
10
down vote
You're probably looking for
ace in the hole
A secret advantage, or some kind of resource kept until needed. It refers to a high-value card in stud poker which is kept face down while bets are made.
TFD Online
The "hole card" in stud is the card that is dealt first and remains face down until a showdown occurs.
You're probably looking for
ace in the hole
A secret advantage, or some kind of resource kept until needed. It refers to a high-value card in stud poker which is kept face down while bets are made.
TFD Online
The "hole card" in stud is the card that is dealt first and remains face down until a showdown occurs.
answered Nov 12 at 21:16
Robusto
127k27301512
127k27301512
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
8
down vote
One (also informal) synonym is secret weapon:
someone or something that gives you a special advantage over your opponents, especially in business or politics
The show could be ABC’s secret weapon in the ratings war this fall.
Macmillan Dictionary
add a comment |
up vote
8
down vote
One (also informal) synonym is secret weapon:
someone or something that gives you a special advantage over your opponents, especially in business or politics
The show could be ABC’s secret weapon in the ratings war this fall.
Macmillan Dictionary
add a comment |
up vote
8
down vote
up vote
8
down vote
One (also informal) synonym is secret weapon:
someone or something that gives you a special advantage over your opponents, especially in business or politics
The show could be ABC’s secret weapon in the ratings war this fall.
Macmillan Dictionary
One (also informal) synonym is secret weapon:
someone or something that gives you a special advantage over your opponents, especially in business or politics
The show could be ABC’s secret weapon in the ratings war this fall.
Macmillan Dictionary
answered Nov 12 at 21:09
Laurel
28.9k654103
28.9k654103
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
trump card:
an advantage that makes you more likely to succeed than other people, especially something that other people do not know about.
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
trump card:
an advantage that makes you more likely to succeed than other people, especially something that other people do not know about.
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
trump card:
an advantage that makes you more likely to succeed than other people, especially something that other people do not know about.
trump card:
an advantage that makes you more likely to succeed than other people, especially something that other people do not know about.
answered Nov 13 at 2:05
mahmud koya
6,7634724
6,7634724
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
I read your question as if you are looking for a word instead of a phrase. Maybe the word is "resourceful". I understand that to describe someone who always comes out of situations as if he had had a card up his sleeve.
New contributor
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
I read your question as if you are looking for a word instead of a phrase. Maybe the word is "resourceful". I understand that to describe someone who always comes out of situations as if he had had a card up his sleeve.
New contributor
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
I read your question as if you are looking for a word instead of a phrase. Maybe the word is "resourceful". I understand that to describe someone who always comes out of situations as if he had had a card up his sleeve.
New contributor
I read your question as if you are looking for a word instead of a phrase. Maybe the word is "resourceful". I understand that to describe someone who always comes out of situations as if he had had a card up his sleeve.
New contributor
New contributor
answered Nov 13 at 4:46
Omphaloskopie
1212
1212
New contributor
New contributor
add a comment |
add a comment |
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If you add some context, you might get answers that are more closely tailored to your needs. In particular, why doesn't "card up his sleeve" work for you? Do you want a more formal term, or something without gambling associations? Something less colorful or more colorful? Is there a particular context where you want to use the phrase? And so forth.
– 1006a
Nov 13 at 4:39
1
Tangential: Dutch has a proverb for this, "they have a stick behind the door". To explain the image: consider someone opening the door to a stranger, but holding a baseball bat in the hand that is behind the door in case the stranger has ill intentions. The stranger should think twice before attacking the person, because they may have a stick behind the door. It is used much like "card up his sleeve", for any hidden benefit a person may have, not just aggressive/violent/defensive purposes as the example would suggest.
– Flater
Nov 13 at 10:16