Is there a synonym for the phrase “card up his sleeve”?










5















"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
    Nov 13 '18 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 '18 at 10:16
















5















"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



















  • 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 '18 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 '18 at 10:16














5












5








5








"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
















"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 Nov 13 '18 at 1:56









Chappo

2,72851225




2,72851225










asked Nov 12 '18 at 20:54









MariamMariam

566




566







  • 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 '18 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 '18 at 10:16













  • 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 at 10:16











5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















6














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
    Nov 13 '18 at 12:23


















10














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






























    8














    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






























      5














      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






























        2














        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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          5 Answers
          5






          active

          oldest

          votes








          5 Answers
          5






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          6














          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
            Nov 13 '18 at 12:23















          6














          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
            Nov 13 '18 at 12:23













          6












          6








          6







          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 Nov 12 '18 at 20:57









          GlorfindelGlorfindel

          8,070103741




          8,070103741












          • Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!

            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            Nov 13 '18 at 12:23

















          • Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!

            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            Nov 13 '18 at 12:23
















          Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          Nov 13 '18 at 12:23





          Flashbacks to the best episode of Only Fools & Horses ever written!

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          Nov 13 '18 at 12:23













          10














          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



























            10














            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

























              10












              10








              10







              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 Nov 12 '18 at 21:16









              RobustoRobusto

              128k30303517




              128k30303517





















                  8














                  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



























                    8














                    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

























                      8












                      8








                      8







                      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 Nov 12 '18 at 21:09









                      LaurelLaurel

                      32k660113




                      32k660113





















                          5














                          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



























                            5














                            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

























                              5












                              5








                              5







                              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 Nov 13 '18 at 2:05









                              mahmud koyamahmud koya

                              6,8324824




                              6,8324824





















                                  2














                                  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



























                                    2














                                    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

























                                      2












                                      2








                                      2







                                      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













                                      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












                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer










                                      answered Nov 13 '18 at 4:46









                                      OmphaloskopieOmphaloskopie

                                      1212




                                      1212



























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