Have an ace in the hole
Meaning
To possess a secret advantage or resource that can be revealed at a crucial moment.
Origin
The vivid phrase "ace in the hole" originated from the high-stakes world of stud poker, a game that gained immense popularity in 19th-century America. In stud poker, players are dealt a mix of face-up and face-down cards. The face-down card, often the first card dealt, is known as the "hole card." If this hidden card happens to be an ace—the highest-ranking card in most poker games—it grants the player a powerful, secret advantage that can dramatically alter the game's outcome when revealed. This potent, unseen resource quickly became a popular metaphor for any hidden asset, secret weapon, or decisive advantage one holds in reserve, ready to be deployed at the opportune moment to secure victory.
Examples
- She kept her extensive network of contacts as an ace in the hole for when she needed to secure funding for the project.
- The politician knew he had an ace in the hole with the new policy proposal, waiting for the perfect opportunity to unveil it.