ace in the hole

English

Etymology

From stud poker in which there is one unknown card called the "hole card;" referring to the optimum "hole card" being an ace.

Noun

ace in the hole (plural aces in the hole)

(idiomatic, US, informal) A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage.
Our ace in the hole left our opponents stupefied; it isn't every day that an NBA star plays street basketball.

Translations

unrevealed advantage

French: joker (fr), as dans la manche, atout dans la manche
Portuguese: carta nas mangas f, ás na manga (pt)

Russian: туз в рукаве́ m (tuz v rukavé), козырь (ru) (kozyrʹ)
Spanish: as en la manga

See also

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