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?










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  • 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
    19 hours ago






  • 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
    13 hours ago

















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?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Mariam is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 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
    19 hours ago






  • 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
    13 hours ago













up vote
5
down vote

favorite









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?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Mariam is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











"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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edited 21 hours ago









Chappo

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asked yesterday









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  • 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
    19 hours ago






  • 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
    13 hours ago













  • 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
    19 hours ago






  • 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
    13 hours ago








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
19 hours ago




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
19 hours ago




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
13 hours ago





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
13 hours ago











5 Answers
5






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)






share|improve this answer




















  • Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    11 hours ago

















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.






share|improve this answer



























    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







    share|improve this answer



























      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.






      share|improve this answer



























        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.






        share|improve this answer








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        Omphaloskopie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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          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)






          share|improve this answer




















          • Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            11 hours ago














          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)






          share|improve this answer




















          • Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            11 hours ago












          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)






          share|improve this answer












          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)







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered yesterday









          Glorfindel

          4,16672534




          4,16672534











          • Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            11 hours ago
















          • Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            11 hours ago















          Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          11 hours ago




          Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!
          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          11 hours ago












          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.






          share|improve this answer
























            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.






            share|improve this answer






















              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.






              share|improve this answer












              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.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered yesterday









              Robusto

              126k27300511




              126k27300511




















                  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







                  share|improve this answer
























                    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







                    share|improve this answer






















                      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







                      share|improve this answer












                      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








                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered yesterday









                      Laurel

                      28.7k654103




                      28.7k654103




















                          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.






                          share|improve this answer
























                            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.






                            share|improve this answer






















                              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.






                              share|improve this answer












                              trump card:



                              an advantage that makes you more likely to succeed than other people, especially something that other people do not know about.







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered 21 hours ago









                              mahmud koya

                              6,6494622




                              6,6494622




















                                  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.






                                  share|improve this answer








                                  New contributor




                                  Omphaloskopie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                  Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                                    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.






                                    share|improve this answer








                                    New contributor




                                    Omphaloskopie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.



















                                      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.






                                      share|improve this answer








                                      New contributor




                                      Omphaloskopie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                      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.







                                      share|improve this answer








                                      New contributor




                                      Omphaloskopie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer






                                      New contributor




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                                      answered 18 hours ago









                                      Omphaloskopie

                                      1212




                                      1212




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                                      Omphaloskopie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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